Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship
East Crompton St James School
Oldham (2 available locations)
Closes in 16 days (Friday 30 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 13 October 2026
Contents
Summary
This is an excellent opportunity if you are passionate about progressing your career in Business Administration. This is a challenging, but thoroughly rewarding role working within a school environment.
- Wage
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£13,520 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
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Monday to Friday, term time only plus 3 days as directed by the Head Teacher. Times to be confirmed.
32 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
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Monday 2 November 2026
- Duration
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1 year 6 months
- Positions available
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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
KEY TASKS – Administration & ICT
- To undertake word processing and other ICT related tasks including letters, reports and schedules, and work which utilises other ICT packages, such as databases, spreadsheets, formatting presentations or research on the internet. Administration of the website and social media accounts including website compliance.
- To support in the administration of Nursery and Reception admissions and in year transfers.
- To support the arrangements for school facilities including: school meals, transport including any minibuses and drivers, bookings for school facilities, provision of facilities for out of school hours additional tuition including music and extra-curricular activities.
- To take notes/minutes of meetings as required, e.g. school committees and staff meetings, and undertake other related tasks to support the organising of meetings, such as typing agendas, collating papers and booking rooms.
- To maintain and collate registers and pupil reports, including school data and other information that is routinely required by Oldham Council and Department for Education.
- To undertake routine administration of school lettings and other uses of school premises. To promote the Federation to different audiences and raise the profile within the local community. Liaise with local businesses for fundraising and joint projects.
- Under the direction of the Executive Headteacher, organise supply cover.
KEY TASKS – Finance & Physical Resources
- To undertake basic bookkeeping. Examples of tasks are; school fund, petty cash, school trips, photographs, postage, telephone calls, school meals, and the accurate recording and balancing of such funds. To prepare statements for individual budget holders
- To maintain stationery and consumables stock and supplies for the whole school, cataloguing and distributing as required
KEY TASKS – Reception & Customer Service
- To undertake reception duties, answering routine telephone and face-to-face enquiries, taking messages and forwarding them onto the relevant person as required.
- To welcome visitors to the school, ensuring health and safety and safeguarding procedures are followed, such as signing in/out of a register, issuing badges/passes or escorting visitors as required.
- To respond to queries from staff, pupils and parents.
- To make arrangements for external visitors, for example, the school nurse, photographer, linked schools and parents.
KEY TASKS – General Clerical
- To provide general clerical support e.g. photocopying, filing, faxing, emailing, completing routine forms and responding to routine enquires.
- To sort and distribute internal and external mail.
KEY TASKS – Welfare
To liaise with parents/staff in relation to first aid occurrences accordance with the school procedure.
STANDARD DUTIES
- To understand the importance of inclusion, equality and diversity, both when working with pupils and with colleagues, and to promote equal opportunities for all.
- To uphold and promote the values and the ethos of the school.
- To implement and uphold the policies, procedures and codes of practice of the School, including relating to customer care, finance, data protection, ICT, health & safety, anti-bullying and safeguarding/child protection.
- To take a pro-active approach to health and safety, working with others in the school to minimise and mitigate potential hazards and risks, and actively contribute to the security of the school, e.g. challenging a stranger on the premises.
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- East Crompton St James C E Primary School, St James Street, Oldham, OL2 7TD
- St Thomas Moorside C E Primary School, Coleridge Road, Oldham, OL1 4RL
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE OLDHAM 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
You will attend weekly, off-the-job training sessions at the Oldham College.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 9-4/A*-C)
- Maths (grade 9-4/A*-C)
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
- Presentation skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Reliable and hard working
Other requirements
During the year you will be expected to participate in additional events out of the normal working hours, for example, parent’s evening and open days. There is a degree of lifting and carrying that you will need to be able to carry out. This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You will be required undertake an enhanced DBS. Applications will only be accepted through the National Apprenticeship Website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship Please do not contact the employer direct. If your application is successful, you will be contacted by The Oldham College (normally via email) to invite you to attend a pre-interview and initial assessment.
About this employer
At East Crompton St James’, Christian values are at the heart of all that we do and all that we are in school and in the wider community. We work together as one, having confidence in everyone’s potential to persevere whilst showing courage, respect and trust in all. Our vision is for all members of our school community to be equipped to serve in God’s world and live life to its fullest.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Any successful apprenticeship who demonstrates the ability and necessary skills to carry out the role of a Business Administrator to a high standard, would be considered for any permanent vacancy that may arise in the school. This would be part of a further recruitment process.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE OLDHAM COLLEGE
Andrea Kearns
andrea.kearns@oldham.ac.uk
01617854072
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000058739.
Apply now
Closes in 16 days (Friday 30 October 2026 at 11:59pm)