Reception and School Business Administration Apprentice

The Royal School, Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton (WV3 0EG)

Closes in 19 days (Monday 12 October 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 21 September 2026

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Summary

Start your career in school administration with a varied apprenticeship combining reception duties and hands-on experience across key administrative functions. You'll gain valuable skills, structured training and support from an experienced team while building a strong foundation for future career opportunities.

• 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: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 4:30pm. 37 hours per week.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 19 October 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

• Provide reception cover as part of the Primary front-of-house team, welcoming parents, pupils, staff and visitors warmly and professionally
• Operate the school's visitor sign-in system and support safeguarding and site security procedures
• Answer and direct telephone calls and general enquiries, taking clear messages where needed
• Support the administration of late arrivals and pupil collection, including sign in/out procedures
• Assist with the care of pupils who are unwell or distressed at the office/reception point, under the guidance of a qualified colleague, and follow the school's first aid and medical procedures
• Undertake general clerical duties, including photocopying, filing, distribution of post and preparation of straightforward correspondence

Resources Management

• Photocopy, print, laminate and bind materials for staff and classes as requested
• Help maintain stocks of paper, stationery and other office and reception supplies, flagging when re-ordering is needed
• Support the preparation of materials for assemblies, events, meetings and displays

Rotational Administrative Experience

• Complete each planned placement (Admissions, Exams, Attendance, Curriculum, Website/Social Media, Finance and others as arranged) diligently and professionally, following the guidance of the relevant lead colleague
• Learn and correctly apply the school's systems, including its MIS (SIMS), during each placement
• Maintain confidentiality and safeguarding awareness at all times, particularly when handling pupil, family or staff information across different school functions
• Ask questions, seek feedback and reflect on what has been learned in each placement, building a portfolio of experience and evidence to support the apprenticeship

Apprenticeship and Professional Development

• Attend all timetabled sessions with Wolverhampton College and complete coursework, assignments and portfolio evidence required by the Business Administrator Level 3 standard
• Take part in regular progress reviews with the line manager, workplace mentor and college assessor
• Apply learning from college study to workplace practice, and vice versa
• Work towards the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship standard, with a view to completing the full programme and end-point assessment

Where you'll work

Penn Road
Wolverhampton
WV3 0EG

Training

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

Training provider

CITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON 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

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:

Maths and English (grade A*-C (4-9))

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
• Presentation skills
• Administrative skills
• Team working

Other requirements

Includes regular attendance at Wolverhampton College and structured workplace learning time.

Full time, term time plus INSET days as directed (exact hours to be confirmed); hours, breaks and any restricted duties will be adjusted in line with the Working Time Regulations 1998 for any apprentice under 18.

About this employer

The Royal is shaped by a distinctive heritage; a long-standing commitment to academic excellence and character education; and a strong civic mission rooted in inclusion and opportunity. Our work is values-led and purpose-driven: widening access, strengthening belonging, and enabling every young person to thrive and achieve their best.

The Royal School, Wolverhampton is a non-selective, co-educational, all-through day and state boarding school for pupils aged 4–19, serving Wolverhampton and the surrounding area. Through our boarding provision, pupils also join us from across the world, bringing a wider national and international perspective that enriches school life for everyone. Alongside a strong academic curriculum, we place real emphasis on wider learning—sport, music, the arts, clubs, leadership and service—so that pupils develop confidence, character, and the ambition to succeed locally, nationally and internationally.

After this apprenticeship

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

The role should prepare candidates to take on a wide range of educational administration roles and have a strong understanding of school and trust practices and systems. The school expects that apprentices will be ready for a full time position at the school providing administrative support, specialising in one of the key rotational areas experienced by the end of the apprenticeship programme.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000054532.

Apply now

Closes in 19 days (Monday 12 October 2026 at 11:59pm)