School Administration Apprentice

CHESTER DIOCESE ACADEMIES TRUST

Chester (CH2 1ED)

Closes in 6 days (Monday 23 February 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 16 February 2026

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Summary

The postholder will work within a busy school office environment, delivering administrative, financial, reception and information management services. The role requires excellent organisation, accuracy, discretion and the ability to manage competing priorities.

Wage

£19,368 a year

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There will be a salary increase on 1 April 2026 in line with the NJC terms and conditions.

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 3.30am (with 30 minutes lunch break).

32 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 9 March 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

Reception and Communication

Act as the first point of contact for visitors, parents/carers and external agencies.
Respond professionally to telephone, email and face-to-face enquiries.
Ensure visitors are signed in and out and DBS checks are verified where required.
Collate, edit and distribute the school newsletter and upload to approved platforms.

Administration and Office Support

  • Provide general administrative support, including filing, record keeping, photocopying and document management.
  • Prepare routine correspondence, documents, orders and reports as directed.
  • Manage diaries, appointments and meetings as required.
    Support pupil admissions, transfers and external assessments under direction.
  • Support maintenance and administration of school website.
  • Support maintenance and administration of school social media platforms.

Finance and Trips Administration

  • Administer school trips using online systems, including issuing letters, collating permissions and dietary requirements, and liaising with providers.
  • Obtain quotations and support transport and venue bookings as required.

Attendance and Pupil Systems

  • Work in partnership with the Attendance Officer to administer daily attendance processes.
  • Record absences accurately, follow up unexplained absences and administer absence requests.

Systems and Information Management

  • Make effective use of IT systems including Arbor, ParentPay and Free School Meals systems.
  • Produce reports and certificates as required.
  • Handle information in line with data protection, confidentiality and information governance requirements.

Safeguarding, Health and Safety

  • Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people.
  • Comply with safeguarding, health and safety and first aid procedures.
  • Record and report accidents and incidents appropriately.

Where you'll work

Upton Heath CE Primary School
Upton Lane
Chester
CH2 1ED

Training

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

Training provider

TRAIN TOGETHER 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

Training will take place in the workplace. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

More training information

Training will be delivered in the workplace and delivered weekly.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English and Mathematics (grade 5)

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
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative

Other requirements

Staff in CDAT schools are required to obtain an enhanced DBS check.

About this employer

CDAT is a multi academy trust established to support primary schools. There are presently 28 schools within the trust. The services provided to schools include legal, human resources, estates, health and safety, and data protection. We also have a school improvement team and a finance team.

https://www.cdat.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

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

This role is based with a busy and popular school.  Upton Heath CE Primary School is one of 28 schools within a multi academy trust with a diverse range of sizes, locations, and local contexts.  This role will provide the successful candidate with experience in an established field with transferable skills across the wider education sector.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TRAIN TOGETHER LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000013169.

Apply now

Closes in 6 days (Monday 23 February 2026 at 11:59pm)