Operations Administrator Apprentice

Spark Academy

LEICESTER (LE4 5EE)

Closes in 25 days (Friday 10 October 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 15 September 2025

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Summary

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain real hands-on experience in a busy and supportive school and education services environment while working towards your Level 3 Business Admin Apprenticeship. As an Operations Administrator, you will develop skills in office administration, safeguarding compliance, attendance, recruitment, and customer service

• Wage:

  £14,722.50 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm with 30 mins lunch,uy8

  37 hours 30 minutes a week

• Start date:

  Saturday 11 October 2025

• 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

Each week will bring variety, and you’ll learn how to:

• Reception & front office duties – greet visitors, parents and professionals at the school site; answer and direct phone calls; ensure the reception area is professional, welcoming and in line with safeguarding expectations.
• Attendance administration – record pupil attendance and exclusions on our school systems; follow up on absences with parents or carers; escalate any concerns to the safeguarding team.
• Tutor recruitment & onboarding – check new applications on Indeed, send template replies, request and chase references, and help prepare interview documents; input candidate details into our recruitment systems (Genie, Google Workspace, spreadsheets) and keep records accurate.
• Compliance support – learn how to check safeguarding training, DBS status, and induction records; update information in the Single Central Record (SCR) for review by the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Scheduling & communication – support the matching of tutors with students; update weekly schedules with tutor and pupil details; help set up Microsoft Teams groups so tutors, parents and carers can stay in touch.
• SLT administration – assist the Senior Leadership Team (including the Proprietor, Headteacher, Business Manager and Service Delivery Manager) with general admin such as preparing reports, updating files, or organising meetings.
• General office administration – filing, scanning, organising digital folders, maintaining auditable records, and contributing ideas to improve admin processes

Where you'll work

176 MELTON ROAD
LEICESTER
LE4 5EE

Training

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

Training provider

LEICESTER 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

80% of this apprenticeship will be working with the employer and 20% is 'off-the-job' training, which will include attending Leicester College, at Freemen's Park Campus, one day every two weeks.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade Grade 4 or equivalent)
• Maths (grade Grade 4 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
• Work within GDPR regulations
• Proactive
• Take responsibility for tasks
• Positive towards teamwork

Other requirements

Candidates will be asked to complete an English assessment to check suitability for this apprenticeship, so please check your emails for any requests to complete this. The successful candidate will need to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

About this employer

Spark Academy Group is a specialist education provider with two strands. We deliver 1:1 and small group tutoring on behalf of local authorities for children and young people with additional needs, and we run Spark Vale Academy, our independent special school in Leicester for pupils aged 11–19 with autism, ADHD and SEMH needs. We are a supportive and forward-thinking organisation with a clear ethos: Belong, Grow, Thrive. Our team is passionate about making a difference for young people who think and learn differently, and we extend that same care and commitment to our staff. As an apprentice with Spark, you’ll be joining a close-knit and friendly team where your development and wellbeing are valued.

https://www.spark-academy.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Regular staff appreciation events and team activities. Access to wellbeing initiatives such as check-ins, mindfulness sessions and mental health support. BrightHR discounts – savings on shopping, leisure, travel and more.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

On successful completion of the Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship, there may be an opportunity to move into a permanent Operations Administrator role within Spark Academy.

From there, progression routes could include:

• Senior Administrator or Office Manager – taking on wider responsibility for school and tutoring operations.
• HR or Compliance roles – building on safeguarding, safer recruitment and record-keeping skills developed during the apprenticeship.
• Education Operations or Business Support – supporting local authority contracts, service delivery and school administration at a higher level.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LEICESTER COLLEGE

Nicky Jones

nijones@leicestercollege.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000341832.

Apply now

Closes in 25 days (Friday 10 October 2025 at 11:59pm)

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