Apprentice Office Administrative Assistant - Sawley Junior School

ONE ACADEMY TRUST

NOTTINGHAM (NG10 3DQ)

Closes in 23 days (Friday 9 January 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 17 December 2025

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Summary

Kickstart your career in school administration! As an apprentice, you’ll learn to run a reception, manage calls, emails, and enquiries, check visitor ID, update attendance on Arbor, support pupil welfare, handle payments, admin tasks, assist with clubs, first aid, and build strong office skills while gaining your qualification.

Wage

£14,133.60 to £22,857.12, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday. 08:00-15:45. 30-minute lunch break per day.

36 hours a week

Start date

Sunday 1 February 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

Apprentice Administrator – Job Description

  • Provide a welcoming and professional reception service for parents, visitors and staff.
  • Handle phone calls, emails, Class Dojo messages and in-person enquiries.
  • Check visitor ID/DBS following safeguarding procedures.
  • Support pupil welfare, including contacting parents when needed.
  • Update and maintain attendance records using Arbor.
  • Monitor late arrivals and follow up on absences.
  • Assist with admissions, new-intake processes and maintaining accurate pupil records.
  • Support the organisation and admin of school trips.
  • Help manage payments for dinners, trips and activities.
  • Use systems including Arbor, ParentPay and ParentMail.
  • Complete general admin tasks: photocopying, filing, post handling and data entry.
  • Help with after-school club administration.
  • Assist with basic health and safety duties.
  • Provide first aid once trained.
  • Maintain confidentiality and follow data protection procedures.
  • Develop practical office, communication and organisational skills while working towards your qualification.

Where you'll work

SAWLEY JUNIOR SCHOOL
WILMOT STREET
LONG EATON
NOTTINGHAM
NG10 3DQ

Training

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

Training provider

DCG

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • 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

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C/4 or above)
  • Mathematics (grade C/4 or above)

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Positive attitude
  • Willing to learn
  • Reliable

Other requirements

  • The role is primarily office-based but may involve moving light office supplies or resources.
  • You’ll need to maintain confidentiality and follow safeguarding procedures at all times.
  • The position requires working in a busy school environment, so flexibility and calm under pressure are important.

About this employer

Sawley Junior School is a welcoming and inclusive primary school located in Long Eaton, Derbyshire. We cater for children aged 7–11 across Key Stage 2 and currently have 294 pupils on roll, including 95 children on the SEND register. Our school community is diverse, and we are proud of our strong commitment to meeting the needs of all learners.
At Sawley Junior School, our ethos centres on preparing children with the skills they need for a successful future. We focus on building independence, resilience, and confidence, ensuring every child is equipped to thrive both academically and personally. This year, we are proud to be part of the DCC PINS Project, which promotes inclusive education and supports neurodiversity across schools.
Our dedicated team of teachers and support staff work together to create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment where creativity and curiosity are encouraged. We pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking school that values inclusion and high expectations for all. With spacious classrooms, outdoor play areas, and facilities that support a broad and balanced curriculum, we provide opportunities for children to develop essential life skills alongside their academic learning. Staff are valued and supported with professional development, making Sawley Junior School a fantastic place to start or grow your career in education.

https://www.sawleyjunior.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Pension scheme available.

After this apprenticeship

Completing this apprenticeship will give you a solid foundation in school administration. Possible progression routes include:

  • Office Administrator roles within schools or other organisations

This apprenticeship is an excellent stepping stone to a long-term career in education administration or wider business support roles.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

DCG

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000005113.

Apply now

Closes in 23 days (Friday 9 January 2026 at 11:59pm)

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