Business Administration Apprentice

Role Overview

Are you looking to launch a rewarding career in office administration, education management, or business operations?

An established faith-based primary school in Greater Manchester is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Business Administration Apprentice to join their dedicated office support team. In this entry-level school administration role, you gain hands-on experience in reception management, financial administration, data input, and customer service, all while earning a competitive apprenticeship wage and completing structured professional qualifications. This position offers an ideal pathway for candidates seeking to build essential transferable skills in a supportive, caring, and inclusive educational environment.

Key Responsibilities

As a Business Administration Apprentice, you support the day-to-day operational running of the school office across several core administrative areas:

1. Reception & Visitor Management
   1. Act as the first point of contact for the school, providing friendly, professional customer service to parents, visitors, and contractors.
   2. Handle incoming phone calls, respond to general email inquiries, and manage visitor sign-in protocols.
2. General Office & Clerical Support
   1. Assist teaching and leadership staff with typing, document processing, photocopying, filing, and routine form completion.
   2. Process, sort, and distribute incoming and outgoing daily mail.
   3. Help organize school resources, stationery inventory, and office equipment maintenance.
3. Student Welfare & Attendance Administration
   1. Assist with student welfare and basic first aid administration, communicating appropriately with parents and staff.
   2. Maintain daily pupil attendance records and update management information systems (MIS).
   3. Assist with routine administrative duties related to school meal ordering and exam invigilation schedules.
4. Basic Financial Administration
   1. Support routine school financial processes, including collecting, logging, and reconciling dinner money and trip payments.
   2. Assist with basic invoice processing and record-keeping under the direction of the Office Manager.
5. Compliance, Safeguarding & School Ethos
   1. Adhere strictly to school policies regarding child protection, data protection (GDPR), health & safety, and confidentiality.
   2. Uphold and respect the school’s core values and inclusive community ethos.
   3. Participate actively in staff meetings, safeguarding training, and apprenticeship study modules.

Candidate Requirements (Person Specification)

Qualifications & Experience

1. A background or demonstrated interest in business administration, clerical work, or customer service.
2. Strong foundational literacy and numeracy skills (GCSE Grade 4/C or equivalent in English and Maths preferred).
3. Basic computer proficiency, including familiarity with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
4. Willingness to complete mandatory workplace training, including First Aid, Health & Safety, and Child Safeguarding.

Key Skills & Competencies

1. Communication Skills: Ability to communicate clearly, politely, and effectively (written and spoken) with children, parents, and staff.
2. Organization & Time Management: Ability to prioritize routine daily tasks and meet operational deadlines.
3. IT Literacy: A strong desire to learn specialized educational management software and office equipment.
4. Discretion: High integrity with the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
5. Teamwork: A collaborative mindset with the ability to build positive working relationships across the school community.

Personal Attributes

1. Tactful, polite, and diplomatic approach to customer service.
2. Self-motivated with a proactive learning attitude.
3. Adaptable and resilient in a dynamic, busy office setting.
4. Respectful of the school's Christian values and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Professional Development & Skills Gained

This apprenticeship provides structured, supervised workplace training designed to build a solid foundation for future administrative or management roles. During your placement, you gain certified experience in:

1. Office Operations & Business Protocols
2. Education Software & Database Management
3. Customer Service & Front-of-House Communication
4. Financial Data Recording & Reconciliation
5. School Safeguarding Protocols & Information Security

Employment Conditions & Safeguarding

1. Safeguarding: This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check prior to starting.
2. Equal Opportunities: The school promotes equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all background identities.
3. Reasonable Adjustments: Adaptations and job redesign options are available for candidates with accessibility needs or disabilities.