School budgets have been tight for years, but 2025 is shaping up to be especially challenging. Rising costs, funding pressures, and changes to staffing needs are forcing headteachers to make difficult decisions, and that includes how they recruit non-teaching and support staff.

If you’re looking to work in a school in a non-teaching capacity, it’s worth knowing how these financial pressures are shaping the job market.

The impact on recruitment

More part-time and fixed-term roles
Some schools are moving away from permanent full-time hires for certain support positions. Instead, they’ll hire term-time only, part-time, or on fixed contracts to keep costs predictable.

Greater use of agency staff
Rather than taking on the long-term cost of an employee, schools are increasingly turning to recruitment agencies to fill short- and medium-term needs — especially for teaching assistants, exam invigilators, and admin cover.

Multi-role positions
To stretch budgets, schools are advertising “hybrid” roles where one person takes on a mix of duties — for example, combining administrative work with lunchtime supervision or TA support.

Prioritising essential over desirable
Where budgets are tight, schools will focus on roles that are essential for safeguarding, legal compliance, and pupil wellbeing. That can mean delays in hiring for less urgent support roles.

Opportunities despite the squeeze

Budget pressures don’t mean there are fewer jobs overall, but they do change what those jobs look like. In fact, the demand for skilled, flexible support staff is still strong, because:

• Schools need to cover absence and seasonal peaks (e.g. exam periods)
• SEND support requirements are non-negotiable
• Admin and compliance roles are vital to keeping the school running smoothly
• Site management and maintenance can’t be delayed without risk

How candidates can adapt

Be open to flexible work
If you’re willing to take on temporary or part-time contracts, you’ll have more opportunities to get your foot in the door. Many people start this way and move into permanent roles when budgets allow for it.

Develop multiple skills
Having both administrative and pupil-facing skills makes you more valuable. For example, someone who can work in the office in the morning and support in the classroom in the afternoon can save a school from hiring two separate staff members.

Get training in high-demand areas
Safeguarding, SEN, and first aid training make you stand out — and make you harder for a school to overlook, even when funds are tight.

Work through a specialist recruiter
Agencies often hear about vacancies before they’re advertised publicly, and can match you with schools that have an urgent need for your skills.

Looking ahead

The current funding situation is unlikely to change dramatically in the short term. That means schools will continue to balance staffing needs with financial constraints, making flexible, multi-skilled support staff more valuable than ever.

For candidates, the key is to approach the sector with realistic expectations: budgets are tight, but the work is steady for those who can adapt. And for many, the chance to contribute to a school community, even in a non-teaching role, is worth the extra flexibility the job market now demands.