Business Services Assistant

Northern Education Trust; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Education Trust is seeking a dedicated Business Services Assistant at Thorp Academy to provide operational support to the Business Manager, academy, and trust. The role acts as an administrative hub across HR, finance, procurement and health and safety to ensure compliant and efficient operation.

The post emphasizes organisation, proactive support, and adherence to Trust policies, with opportunities to work across the NET family of schools and develop professional skills through NET

Qualifications

• Experience in administrative support and HR processes.
• Familiarity with safeguarding and GDPR preferred.
• Ability to coordinate multiple operational tasks across HR, finance, procurement and health and safety.

Responsibilities

• Administrative Support: maintain filing systems, minute confidential meetings, coordinate travel and events.
• HR & Recruitment: liaise with Central HR, process appointments and contract changes using templates.
• Data & Systems Administration: manage employee data, respond to payroll and expense queries, support data dashboards.
• Compliance & Safeguarding: maintain SCR, process DBS checks and adhere to GDPR and Trust policies.
• Finance & Operations: assist procurement for value for money, support audits, process insurance claims, support health and safety reporting.

Skills

Organised

Administrative support

HR coordination

Job description

Northern Education Trust, Thorp Academy is seeking a dedicated, organised, and proactive Business Services Assistant to provide operational support to the Business Manager, academy, and trust. In this varied post, you will serve as an administrative hub across key operational functions-including HR, finance, procurement, and health and safety-ensuring the efficient running of the academy while maintaining full compliance with Trust policies and legislative guidelines.,

• Administrative Support: Maintain paper and electronic filing systems, minute confidential meetings, and coordinate transport, travel, accommodation, training events, and community lettings.
• HR & Recruitment: Liaise with Central HR and external advertising agencies, prepare shortlisting packs, issue interview invitations, process new appointments and contract changes using standard templates, and track staff absences and occupational health referrals.
• Data & Systems Administration: Maintain accurate employee data, respond to day-to-day HR, payroll, and expense queries, and support data dashboard reporting (including Hays training, business continuity, risk management, and incident reporting).
• Compliance & Safeguarding: Maintain the Single Central Record (SCR), process DBS checks for staff, volunteers, and visitors, and strictly adhere to GDPR regulations and Trust policies.
• Finance & Operations: Assist with procurement to secure best value for money under Financial Regulations, support internal/external audits, process insurance claims via the Trust broker, and assist site staff with health and safety reporting.
• Northern Education Trust offers:
• The opportunity to work and progress across the family of schools, should you wish in the future;
• The chance to apply for leadership roles in the Deeps structure taking on a whole school leadership project;
• The support and expertise of Director of Subjects.
• A full and detailed programme of support and development for all;
• A further comprehensive programme of professional development, including leadership, provided through the NET Staff College.
• Employee benefits In accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, an online search will be completed on all shortlisted applicants prior to interview. Any relevant information will be discussed further with the applicant during the interview process. The Trust is committed to considering flexible working requests. The Trust is committed to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. All posts are subject to enhanced disclosure and barring service checks. We expect all adults to share our commitment to safeguarding and the health and wellbeing of our pupils.