Apprentice Administration Assistant - GOV.UK

Southlands School; North Shields; Remote; GBP 14,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

Southlands School in North Shields is recruiting an Administration Apprentice to join our front of house admin team. You will learn on the job with practical experience and one day a week at college to gain a formal administration qualification.

The apprenticeship offers hands-on training, a welcoming work environment and the chance to grow within the school while supporting students with ASC and learning needs.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent) required.
• Customer care, initiative and teamwork are important.
• Commitment to learning through on-the-job training and college study.

Responsibilities

• Be part of a front of house admin team and participate in on-the-job training.
• Attend one day per week at college to gain an administration qualification.
• Greet visitors, answer enquiries, sign in visitors and liaise with parents and staff.
• Maintain computerised records, school registers and stock/supplies.
• Provide general guidance and hospitality for meetings and events.
• Handle filing, archiving and data management as required.

Skills

Customer care skills

Initiative

Non judgemental

Physical fitness

Education

GCSE English

GCSE Maths

Job description

Closes in 6 days (Friday 16 October 2026 at 11:59pm)

We’d love you to start your education sector career as an Administration Assistant here at Southlands secondary special school, a friendly, rewarding and supportive place to work.

"Students are truly valued for the individuals they are. I feel supported, encouraged and cared for.I see the impact of my work every day."

Wage

£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Hours Monday- Thursday 8.00am- 4.00pm (occasional 4.30pm finish on a Tuesday for training), Friday 8.00am- 3.30pm

37 hours a week

Friday 1 January 2027

Duration

1 year 9 months

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

As part of our front of house admin team you will join a small and welcoming team. We will provide in-house training which, together with one day a week at college will enable you to successfully complete a qualification in administration.

As a school we are committed to apprenticeships and are excited to add an Administration Apprentice to join our existing Teaching Assistant Apprentices on our staff team.

A school office is a busy and vibrant environment where no two days are ever the same! The ideal candidate will be friendly, able to adapt to changing situations, able to work as part of team but also independently. You get the opportunity to build relationships across the school and also with parents and visitors.

Our 152 fantastic students have ASC or moderate learning difficulties. In coming years, we expect more of our cohort to have ASC. To help ensure our learners have a positive experience at every point of contact, your duties will include:

• Offering a warm reception to our visitors, parents, student and staff
• Answering general telephone and face to face enquiries and signing in visitors
• Liaising with parents and staff
• Maintaining computerised records including school registers
  Maintaining stock and supplies, cataloguing and distributing, as required
• Providing general advice and guidance to staff, pupils and others
• Provide hospitality for meetings and events.
• Maintaining filing and archiving systems

Visits are warmly encouraged. To arrange a visit or to ask any questions please contact [e-mail]

Where you\'ll work

Beach Road
Tynemouth
North Shields
Tyne and Wear
NE30 2QR

Training

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

Training provider

• 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.

On the job training delivered in-house, off the job training is delivered via face to face learning at the Training Providers premises in Wallsend where weekly taught sessions are to be delivered on release. All training to be done during contracted hours.

More training information

Taught sessions are led by a qualified tutor who guides the learner group, which is not more than 10 learners, to develop the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required pass the apprenticeship.

Requirements

GCSE in:

• English (grade 9-4 or equivalent)
• maths (grade 9-4 or equivalent)

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

Skills

• Customer care skills
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Physical fitness

Other requirements

A genuine commitment to learning and personal development coupled with a willingness to ask questions and have a go.

About this employer

Secondary Special School.

Our 152 fantastic students have ASC or moderate learning difficulties. In coming years, we expect more of our cohort to have ASC.

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition.This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme.You\'ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

We are keen to grow our own talent and welcome apprentices to apply for appropriate roles within the school once they have developed the relevant knowledge and skills, and grown in confidence.

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

The reference code for this apprenticeship isVAC2000056515.