Business and Finance assistant apprenticeship - Ad Astra Academy Trust

AD ASTRA ACADEMY TRUST

Hartlepool (TS25 5TG)

Closes in 14 days (Friday 20 November 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 6 November 2026

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Summary

Our Central Team require a highly motivated, enthusiastic Administration and Finance Apprentice to join our organisation. The successful candidate will work provide the business support to the central team and schools within our Trust. They will undertake a Level 3 apprenticeship, through the Trust’s Apprenticeship Provider LMP.

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)

Wage increases to National Minimum wage after 12 months if you are over 19 years old. 

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday - All year (not term-time) 37 hours per week total. Daily hours to be confirmed.

37 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 December 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

Administration

  • Provide a welcoming, courteous and professional first point of contact, responding to routine telephone, email and face-to-face enquiries and referring matters appropriately.
  • Undertake general office duties, including preparing correspondence, scanning, filing, photocopying, maintaining electronic records, arranging post and ordering stationery.
  • Enter, update and retrieve information accurately using management information, finance and office systems, in accordance with access permissions and local procedures.
  • Support the organisation of meetings, visits, events and appointments, including room bookings, papers, attendance records and follow-up actions.
  • Maintain orderly records and support document retention, archiving and secure disposal arrangements.
  • Assist with Trust records as directed, checking information for completeness and escalating discrepancies.
  • Produce routine documents, spreadsheets, reports and presentations using Microsoft 365 or other approved systems.
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues across the school or trust and provide reasonable cover within the administration team when required.

Finance

  • Support the processing of purchase requisitions, purchase orders, goods received records and invoices in line with the Trust’s financial procedures and delegated authority arrangements.
  • Check invoices and supporting documentation for accuracy, coding, authorisation and potential duplication, referring exceptions to an authorised colleague.
  • Assist with maintaining supplier records, responding to routine queries and preparing information for payment runs without independently authorising expenditure.
  • Support income administration, including receipting, banking records, payment system reports and follow-up of routine outstanding balances as directed.
  • Assist with reconciliations, budget monitoring and the preparation of routine financial reports, identifying and escalating differences promptly.
  • Maintain complete, accurate and auditable records and provide documents for internal checks, external audit or assurance reviews.
  • Handle financial and personal information securely and maintain appropriate separation of duties at all times.

Where you'll work

Ad Astra Academy Trust Head Office
The Innovation Centre Hub 2 Queens Meadow Business Park
Hartlepool
TS25 5TG

Training

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

Training provider

LET ME PLAY LIMITED

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

  • Business Administration level 3 
  • Off-the-job training will follow the time allocations outlined in the Occupational Standard
  • Tutor support via online platform

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade A-C (4-9) or equivalent)

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
  • Administrative skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working

Other requirements

Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please note; An application form is required to be completed during the  screening process for safer recruitment. 

About this employer

Ad Astra Academy Trust is based in the North East of England and welcomes academies within a 30 mile radius of its base close to the A19/A689 junction. Ad Astra Academy Trust in 2018 encompassed a number of eclectic primary schools across the Tees Valley. Ad Astra is proud to have trustees and members who not only have the right combination of skills and experience to govern the Trust effectively but who also have a moral purpose to make a difference to the lives of children that attend schools within Ad Astra and beyond.

https://adastraschools.org/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

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

Permanent role considered on completion of the apprenticeship. 

Level 4 School Business Professional apprenticeship qualification available. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LET ME PLAY LIMITED

Charlie

charlie.seaman@lmpeducation.org

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000062915.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Friday 20 November 2026 at 11:59pm)