Apprentice Schools Payroll Administrator

WORKING WITH SCHOOLS LTD

Manchester (M30 0SF)

Closes in 21 days (Friday 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 9 July 2026

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Summary

This is an excellent opportunity for someone wishing to build skills, confidence and qualifications while working within a supportive team or for anyone wishing to work in the education sector.

The Schools Payroll Administrator will be a key part of the company team, providing end to end payroll support to a selection of our schools.

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)

Training course
Payroll administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 5 days per week. Typically 8.30am - 4.30pm.

37 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 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

  • Being the nominated, ‘go to’ day-to-day payroll contact for a selection of our schools
  • Annual provision to each school of schedule of dates outlining deadlines for input data, date of initial run report to school for checking, last date for validation and changes, Bacs submission deadlines and pay dates
  • Processing standard payroll input such as adding new starters to the system, removing leavers (and producing P45s), entering overtime and absence return data
  • Calculating changes to salaries, including processing associated backpay or overpayment recoveries where necessary
  • Calculating sickness and family leave entitlements, including production of maternity/adoption pay schedules that are then provided Processing deductions in respect of nursery vouchers and other salary sacrifice arrangements
  • Processing scale point increments and implementing nationwide pay awards
  • Maintenance and upkeep of a ‘staff list’ database for each school where you are the nominated day-to-day payroll contact
  • Ensuring the correct pension contributions are being deducted from staff salaries
  • Liaison with both the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and Local Government Pension Schemes in order to complete daily/monthly administration and annual reconciliations
  • Distribution of electronic payslips to staff
  • Applying coding notifications sent in from HMRC, such as tax code changes, student loan notices and national insurance category updates
  • Making HMRC RTI submissions, both FPS & EPS
  • Calculating Apprenticeship Levy figures
  • Assisting schools with auditor queries and/or requests
  • Upkeep of the Working with Schools payroll input portal for the schools where you are the day-to-day payroll contact

Where you'll work

10 James Nasmyth Way
Nasmyth Business Park
Manchester
M30 0SF

Training

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

Training provider

LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Training course

Payroll administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • gather, analyse and process payroll data and information
  • resolve different types of queries that may be presented from payroll customers such as employees, clients, management, explaining and documenting responses
  • deal with complaints, following processes and escalating complex situations
  • meet client or customer needs in line with service level agreements
  • provide customer service using agreed systems and processes, taking ownership for work applying agreed processes for checking
  • adhere to deadlines and process schedules both internal and statutory, mitigating the impact on the business, employees and clients of deadlines not being met by reprioritising tasks when dealing with conflicting or changing demands
  • select appropriate media for communication etc recognising the advantages and risks related to each method
  • escalate concerns relating to deadlines in a timely manner, suggesting solutions
  • use the appropriate communication media for each stakeholder for each situation. Examples may include ‘phone, face-to-face, email and letters, communicating and engaging professionally, accurately and appropriately, respecting the principles of data protection and confidentiality
  • Build and maintain trust and sound relationships with stakeholders to deliver quality payroll services
  • develop and maintain strong working relationships with team colleagues, supporting and collaborating to achieve results, seeking advice when appropriate within parameters of the role
  • use computerised payroll software and spreadsheet packages such as MS Excel
  • use systems and processes to support the payroll function. Examples may include the provision of accounting information and the Real Time Information submissions to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
  • gather, analyse and process payroll data and information
  • resolve different types of queries that may be presented from payroll customers such as employees, clients, management, explaining and documenting responses
  • deal with complaints, following processes and escalating complex situations
  • meet client or customer needs in line with service level agreements
  • provide customer service using agreed systems and processes, taking ownership for work applying agreed processes for checking
  • adhere to deadlines and process schedules both internal and statutory, mitigating the impact on the business, employees and clients of deadlines not being met by reprioritising tasks when dealing with conflicting or changing demands
  • select appropriate media for communication etc recognising the advantages and risks related to each method
  • escalate concerns relating to deadlines in a timely manner, suggesting solutions
  • use the appropriate communication media for each stakeholder for each situation. Examples may include ‘phone, face-to-face, email and letters, communicating and engaging professionally, accurately and appropriately, respecting the principles of data protection and confidentiality
  • Build and maintain trust and sound relationships with stakeholders to deliver quality payroll services
  • develop and maintain strong working relationships with team colleagues, supporting and collaborating to achieve results, seeking advice when appropriate within parameters of the role
  • use computerised payroll software and spreadsheet packages such as MS Excel
  • use systems and processes to support the payroll function. Examples may include the provision of accounting information and the Real Time Information submissions to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

Training schedule

  • Training will take place at work and college education will be delivered remotely
  • Apprenticeship learning provided by Leicestershire County Council; dedicated time will be provided for relevant study and contact

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 5)
  • Maths (grade 5)

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
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • MS Excel proficiency essential

Other requirements

Character reference.

Completion of a standard level DBS check.

About this employer

We are a well-established provider of high quality payroll, HR and DBS services to the education sector. Founded in 2003, we are a family owned and fully independent company.

At the heart of our core values are trust, dependability and pride in our work.  The team will always “go the extra mile” to help our customers. These values are complemented by a forward thinking, professional and flexible approach to everything that we do.

Based at offices in Eccles, we are open to remote and flexible working options suited to our employees and customers. Please note: work from home will be possible only when training is complete.

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

Company benefits

  • 25 days + bank holidays annual leave
  • Christmas closure period (typically 1.5 - 2 weeks)
  • Casual dress code with optional free, branded uniform
  • Hybrid working after initial training
  • Flexibile working arrangements

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

  • Permanent role as Schools Payroll Administrator
  • Career pathway within the business also includes roles such as Senior Schools Payroll Administrator and Payroll Lead/Manager

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WORKING WITH SCHOOLS LTD

Phillip Jones

pjones@workingwithschools.co.uk

01617071520

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000041619.

Apply now

Closes in 21 days (Friday 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm)