Admin/Finance/HR Apprentice
Central Bedfordshire Council
Kempston (MK42 7EB)
Closes in 29 days (Sunday 26 April 2026)
Posted on 25 March 2026
Contents
Summary
Are you looking for a business apprenticeship where you can assist with all areas of finance, administration, HR and facilities management? If so then Ridgeway School in Kempston are looking for you. Please read the full job description below.
- Wage
-
£14,560 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
35 hours a week
Monday to Friday 7 hours a day (8:30am- 4.00pm)
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 1 June 2026
- Duration
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1 year 9 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
Ridgeway School in Kempston, Bedfordshire is increasing in size so they now need more help in the finance and administration teams in the school. This is a new role and would be an ideal opportunity for someone who is looking for a first office-based job, wanting a change in career, returning to work after a long break or wants to gain a professional qualification in business administration. This is a very varied and interesting role that will provide lots of experience of all the areas of work that support a school to run outside of the classroom.
So, what will you be doing in the role?
Administration:
• School reception duties– answering phones and emails and dealing with queries in person
• Processing deliveries of items
• Updating databases and records
• Checking in visitors appropriately
• Ad hoc requests for administration support
• Filing and archiving scanned documents
• Dealing with requests for stationary and other resources
• Chasing up registers
• Taking notes in meetings
Finance:
• Raising purchase orders
• Inputting and paying invoices
• Filing
• Contacting suppliers for missing items or quotes
Human resources:
• Recording sickness absence
• Arranging sickness review meetings
• Processing job applicants
• Completing pre-employment checks
Facilities Management:
• Organising/confirming room bookings
• Updating or checking health & safety records
Ad hoc: The role can involve working anywhere across the school where there is a need.
You will attend Bedford College once a month for 10 months.
This role is term time only and a fixed term contract.
Where you'll work
Hill Rise
Kempston
MK42 7EB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BEDFORD COLLEGE
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
- Level 3 Business Administration
- Level 2 Functional Skills English and maths
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
- English (grade 3)
- maths (grade 3)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- communication skills
- people skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Patience
Other requirements
- Candidates must carry out an initial interview with a member of the Tresham College Apprenticeship Recruitment Team
- Please be aware that the closing date is subject to change without prior notice
- Please consider how you will get to work and college
- You will attend Bedford College once a month for 10 months
- The role is term time only
About this employer
Ridgeway School is based in Kempston, Bedfordshire, an innovative and inclusive school, where the pupils are at the heart of everything they do. Their pupils are educated alongside their peers in classes that are arranged by pupils’ age, not separated by the nature of their impairments.
After this apprenticeship
This will give the new apprentice a very good opportunity to develop skills in a range of areas which will be valuable for many future jobs in finance, administration, human resources and facilities management as well as experience working in a complex school environment. There may be an opportunity to remain at the school at the end of the apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BEDFORD COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000023263.
Apply now
Closes in 29 days (Sunday 26 April 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.