Exam season: A guide for teaching assistants and support staff

While teachers focus on revision and curriculum wrap‑up, school support staff play a crucial role in ensuring exams run well. Your organisation and approach help keep things on track.

Key responsibilities during exam season 

Support staff are involved in the build-up to exam season. The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) guidance sets out strict processes before, during, and after exams, and support staff help put these in place. This includes preparing exam rooms, organising candidate information, and providing access arrangements. Some support staff also take on exam invigilation roles. 

Key responsibilities at exam time often include:

• Timetable preparation, helping students know where they need to be and when

• Room setup, including spacing, posters, and required notices

• Access arrangements, supporting Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) with readers, scribes, rest breaks, or separate rooms

• Coordinating with invigilators or acting as an invigilator yourself

• Candidate information checks, ensuring entries, seating plans, and candidate numbers are correct

• Maintaining a supportive environment, especially for anxious students

• Being the steady point of contact when unexpected issues arise

Support staff keep exam delivery fair and consistent. As a member of the school support team, you’re a key part of how exams run. You help reduce pressure on teachers and respond to unexpected issues with care.

Exam season places extra workload on support staff. Teachers, schools and pupils face intense pressure around workload, performance and results, and that pressure often lands on you. At this time of year, you may also be balancing timetables, SEND support, safeguarding, and classroom responsibilities. 

Tips for managing your workload

Exam season brings extra responsibilities for support staff, so staying organised and communicating early can make a big difference. You may feel the weight of timetables, SEND needs, safeguarding, and everyday classroom responsibilities all at once.

To stay on top of your workload:

• Prioritise tasks that impact exam readiness, such as room setup or access arrangements

• Use simple checklists to keep track of daily tasks

• Communicate early with teachers and SENCOs so nothing becomes a last‑minute rush

• Build in short breaks if possible, even if it’s a walk between rooms or a staffroom chat during break times

• Share concerns early so small issues don’t become bigger problems 

Simple routines help students stay focused without feeling overwhelmed. Support staff can reinforce simple, achievable habits that reduce stress and build confidence.

You can help by encouraging:

• Simple planning tools that break revision into manageable steps

• Built in rest and recovery moments

• Movement and fresh air, including walking or light exercise

• Predictable daily routines

• Clear walkthroughs of what will happen on exam days

Instructions for Conducting Examinations (ICE) are the definitive guidance for running exams across GCSEs, A‑levels and vocational qualifications. It sets out the standards every centre must follow, from preparing exam rooms to invigilation and post‑exam procedures. The JCQ provides ICE resources, including videos, checklists, training materials and tools that make compliance easier to manage. It is essential reading for invigilators and support staff.

Supporting SEN learners during exam season 

Learners with special educational needs (SEN) may find exam time more pressured. You can support SEN learners by:

• Using visual timetables or simplified briefings to reduce uncertainty

• Walking through access arrangements and visiting the exam room beforehand

• Providing access to low-stimulation spaces when needed

• Coordinating regular check-ins with teachers or pastoral leads

• Offering calm, step-by-step reassurance so pupils know what to expect

Removing physical or sensory triggers can make a big difference. This might include flickering lights, distracting noise, crowded corridors, sudden timetable changes, or anything in the environment that increases stress. Small adjustments help students stay grounded and focused. 

Why exam season is a great opportunity for support staff

Exam season can be demanding for support staff, especially when balancing timetables, SEND support, safeguarding, and classroom responsibilities. Yet it’s also one of the best times to develop new skills, deepen your understanding of school operations and gain experience that supports your long‑term career. 

Exam season is intense, but it’s also a chance to build valuable experience in education. You’ll develop:

• Strong organisational skills

• Confidence in managing high-pressure situations

• Experience with access arrangements and SEN support

• A better understanding of school operations

• Skills that strengthen future applications for TA, Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), pastoral or SEN roles

If you’re looking for exam season or wider support roles, we’ll help you find a school where your skills and experience are valued. Register with Teaching Personnel today, and we’ll connect you with teaching vacancies that match your strengths and goals.