School Business Administration Apprentice

Darlington

Tees Valley

Hybrid

GBP 14,000 - 17,000

Full time

7 days ago

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Job summary

Red Hall Primary School in Darlington is offering a School Business Administration Apprenticeship. The role involves handling reception duties, managing pupil records, and supporting daily office tasks while working toward a Level 3 Business Administrator qualification.

The position is term-time only with a wage of £15,392 in year one and potential increases with age. Training includes MS Office, data management and clerical duties within a busy school office.

Qualifications

GCSE maths (4+/C+) required.
Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard pursued during the apprenticeship.
Use of MS Office and databases is essential.

Responsibilities

Be the first point of contact for staff, parents and pupils, providing professional responses in person and by phone.
Provide high-quality administrative and clerical support to SLT and teaching staff.
Maintain school information systems with accurate data and records.

Skills

Customer care

Logical

Creative

Initiative

Calm under pressure

Resilience

Non judgemental

Physical fitness

Education

GCSE maths (4+/C+)

Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship

Tools

MS Office

Job description

School Business Administration Apprenticeship (Red Hall Primary School)

Red Hall Primary School

Darlington (DL1 2ST)

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

Join Red Hall Primary School and gain valuable experience in a busy school office. You'll support daily administration, maintain pupil records, communicate with parents and staff, and assist with office tasks while working towards a nationally recognised apprenticeship qualification.

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)

Please note, this position is term time only.

Training course Business administrator (level 3)

Hours Monday- Friday 8:30am- 4:30pm (Term time only)

37 hours a week

Monday 2 November 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

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

The post holder will be expected to undertake the following duties:

To act as the first point of contact for staff, parents and pupils, providing a professional and helpful response both face to face and on the telephone
Provide high quality administrative and clerical support to the Senior Leadership Team and teaching staff
Maintain school information systems, ensuring accurate data and producing and checking records
Manage pupil attendance systems, including daily registers and follow up with families
Undertake routine financial administration processes e.g processing invoices in line with school policy
To carry out and maintain filing and develop and maintain spreadsheets or databases containing financial and non-financial information, and to liaise with examination and data administrators
To undertake routine clerical tasks and reprographics requirements
To assist with the maintenance of manual and computerised records / management information systems
To liaise with members of the public, suppliers, schools and other external stakeholders
To carry out maintenance and updates to the school web site, ensuring all data is always up to date and current
To maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job
To respect the confidential nature of the work and protect personal information in accordance with data protection regulations and policies in place
Any other duties of a similar nature related to the post which may be required from time to time

The school office is a busy place and children, parents and staff will often require help and support at short notice so being able to remain calm under pressure and prioritise and organise your time effectively is essential.

It will require the resilience to undertake difficult conversations with people in a calm and assertive manner.

This apprenticeship offers an excellent opportunity to build valuable business administration skills within a busy and welcoming primary school environment while working towards a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification. The successful candidate will gain hands‑on experience in administration, communication, organisation, customer service, and IT, supporting the day‑to‑day operations of the school. Working closely with pupils, parents, staff, and visitors, the apprentice will play an important role in ensuring the smooth running of the school office. This role provides a strong foundation for future careers in business administration, school administration, office management, or wider education support services.

Where you'll work

Red Hall Primary School
Headingley Crescent
Darlington
DL1 2ST

Training

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

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.

You will be completing the Level 3 Business Administrator Advanced Apprenticeship Standard with Darlington Borough Council Learning & Skills, Darlington.

The Business Administration Apprenticeship is designed to equip participants with the fundamentals required to work in any business environment. The programme can be delivered using a blend of on‑line, anytime learning and expert‑led classroom training covering core topics.

Throughout this Apprenticeship, participants will be supported by tutors who have worked in a business environment and have gained many years of experience and who can truly support you to develop the skills and knowledge required to work in a wide range of administrative roles.

More training information

Training will be provided to achieve the following qualifications:

Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard

Training will take place weekly, on a day release basis, at Darlington Borough Council L&S Skills Centre (DL1 1NG). Here you will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours to ensure these exceed the minimum requirements for the Business Administrator Level 3 apprenticeship standards.

Requirements

GCSE in:

maths (grade 4+/ C+)

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
Logical
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Physical fitness
Resilience
Calm under pressure

Other requirements

You will be required to attend our training centre in Darlington (DL1 1NG) and you will need to make your own way there for day release training.

Travel to and from the employer, based Headlingley Crescent, Darlington (DL1 2ST).

This role is term time only.

You will need to pass an Enhanced DBS check, if successful.

About this employer

Red Hall Primary School offers education to children between the ages of 2 – 11 years of age. Our school motto is ‘Believe and Achieve’. Red Hall Primary is a school where ALL children no matter what their home situations or academic levels are given the skills to ‘believe’ in themselves and to ‘achieve’ their very best. The school is at the heart of the community. We support our families in many different ways and believe partnership is at our core. Creating strong links with parents and carers gives our children the best possible start to their educational success. The school is on a journey to improve, not only itself, but the lives of all of its stakeholders, offering them the best opportunities to succeed in the future. We want our children to have the best possible start in life and go onto achieve well during their ongoing educational life.