Business Administration Apprenticeship

St John Payne Catholic School

Essex (CM1 4BS)

Closes in 29 days (Saturday 6 December 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 6 November 2025


Summary

We are seeking a friendly, enthusiastic, and highly motivated Apprentice to join our busy Front of House Office at St John Payne Catholic School. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to start a career in administration within a supportive and professional school environment.

Wage

£14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Term time only - Monday to Friday

37 hours a week

Start date

Sunday 7 December 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

As an Apprentice Front of House Administrator, you will play a key role in supporting the day-to-day operations of the main office. You will gain hands-on experience in a wide range of administrative tasks while working towards a nationally recognised qualification.


Key Responsibilities:
• Provide a warm and professional welcome to all visitors, staff, and students
• Answer telephone calls and direct enquiries appropriately
• Support with general administrative duties including photocopying, filing, and data entry
• Assist with maintaining accurate student records and registers
• Help coordinate incoming and outgoing post
• Support the organisation of school events and communications
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold safeguarding procedures at all times


What we’re looking for:
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Basic IT skills (Microsoft Office, email, internet)
• Ability to work well as part of a team and independently
• A professional and courteous manner
• Commitment to the ethos and values of a Catholic school


What You’ll Gain:
• Practical experience in a dynamic school office environment
• A nationally recognised qualification in Business Administration (or similar)
• Mentoring and support from experienced staff
• Opportunities for personal and professional development

Where you'll work

Patching Hall Lane
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 4BS

Training

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

Training provider

CHELMSFORD 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

Business Administrator Level 3.

An apprenticeship involves regular training with Chelmsford College, with a minimum of 6 hours 'off the job' training per week.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)

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
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Telephone Etiquette
  • Understanding Confidentiality

About this employer

Our aim is to support the children in our care to become who God created them to be, to emulate Christ's servant leadership, and to embody his greatest commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you”. We embrace these core values by, • Fostering a community where life is lived according to Gospel values and the teachings of the Catholic Church, and where all members of our community can grow in faith. • Ensuring students feel safe, happy and individually known, valued and loved as created in the image of God. • Helping students realise their full potential with a curriculum and teaching strategies to cater for individual needs. • Educating the whole child through the three-way partnership between home, school and parish. • Deepening students' moral values and developing awareness of our responsibility to one another as members of our local, national & global communities.

http://www.sjp.essex.sch.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Potential for full-time employment.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHELMSFORD COLLEGE

Madeleine Hamilton

hamiltonm@chelmsford.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000349987.

Apply now

Closes in 29 days (Saturday 6 December 2025 at 11:59pm)

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