Business Administration Apprentice

Summary

Join Bullion Lane Primary School as an Administrative Assistant Apprentice, providing essential support to the school office. Develop your administration, communication and IT skills while helping staff, pupils, parents and visitors in a busy school environment.

Wage

£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday-Friday. Shifts TBC.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 December 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Main Description:

Bullion Lane Primary School is looking for an enthusiastic and organised Administrative Assistant Apprentice to join its school office team. Working under the guidance of senior staff, you will help provide an effective administrative, clerical and secretarial service to support the smooth day-to-day running of the school.

You will work closely with the School Business Manager, the Senior Leadership Team, teaching staff, support staff, parents and external agencies. This is an opportunity to gain valuable practical experience in a school environment while developing your administrative and customer service skills.

Your duties will include:

• Welcoming visitors to the school, answering telephone calls and responding to face-to-face enquiries.
• Supporting the administration of breakfast club, including receiving payments and maintaining accurate records.
• Assisting with general HR administration, including preparing recruitment paperwork.
• Using school IT systems, including SIMS, alongside word-processing and database packages.
• Providing clerical support to teachers and the school leadership team, including photocopying, filing and preparing documents.
• Preparing and completing paperwork, lists, returns and other administrative documentation.
• Monitoring and reporting pupil absences.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date school records and databases.
• Helping distribute, collect and follow up forms requiring information from parents and carers.
• Recording monies received for breakfast club, school clubs, charities and other activities.
• Maintaining accident records where required.
• Following school policies and procedures, including visitor signing-in processes, behaviour, health and safety and safeguarding requirements.
• Supporting the school's response to emergency situations when required.
• You will also be expected to participate in training and development opportunities and contribute positively to the wider school community.

Where you'll work

Bullion Lane
Co. Durham
DH2 2DP

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

NEW COLLEGE DURHAM

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

What you'll learn

• Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
• Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
• Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
• Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
• Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
• Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
• Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Training schedule

The successful candidate will work towards the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard, at New College Durham.

Training will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to work effectively in an administrative role, including:

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• Maths (grade 4)
• English (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Attention to detail
• Customer care skills
• Administrative skills
• Team working
• Organisation skills

Other requirements

This role is based in a primary school and involves regular interaction with pupils, parents, staff and visitors. The successful applicant must follow school policies and safeguarding procedures and will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. Duties may vary according to the needs of the school.