Apprentice Administration Assistant
Southlands School
Tyne and Wear (NE30 2QR)
Closes in 9 days (Friday 16 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 1 October 2026
Contents
Summary
We’d love you to start your education sector career as an Administration Assistant here at Southlands secondary special school, a friendly, rewarding and supportive place to work.
"Students are truly valued for the individuals they are. I feel supported, encouraged and cared for. I see the impact of my work every day."
- Wage
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£15,392 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- Thursday 8.00am- 4.00pm (occasional 4.30pm finish on a Tuesday for training), Friday 8.00am- 3.30pm
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Friday 1 January 2027
- Duration
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1 year 9 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
As part of our front of house admin team you will join a small and welcoming team. We will provide in-house training which, together with one day a week at college will enable you to successfully complete a qualification in administration.
As a school we are committed to apprenticeships and are excited to add an Administration Apprentice to join our existing Teaching Assistant Apprentices on our staff team.
A school office is a busy and vibrant environment where no two days are ever the same! The ideal candidate will be friendly, able to adapt to changing situations, able to work as part of team but also independently. You get the opportunity to build relationships across the school and also with parents and visitors.
Our 152 fantastic students have ASC or moderate learning difficulties. In coming years, we expect more of our cohort to have ASC. To help ensure our learners have a positive experience at every point of contact, your duties will include:
- Offering a warm reception to our visitors, parents, student and staff
- Answering general telephone and face to face enquiries and signing in visitors
- Liaising with parents and staff
- Maintaining computerised records including school registers
Maintaining stock and supplies, cataloguing and distributing, as required - Providing general advice and guidance to staff, pupils and others
- Provide hospitality for meetings and events.
- Maintaining filing and archiving systems
Visits are warmly encouraged. To arrange a visit or to ask any questions please contact helen.clark@southlandsnt.org.uk
Where you'll work
Beach Road
Tynemouth
North Shields
Tyne and Wear
NE30 2QR
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
NORTH TYNESIDE METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL
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
On the job training delivered in-house, off the job training is delivered via face to face learning at the Training Providers premises in Wallsend where weekly taught sessions are to be delivered on release. All training to be done during contracted hours.
More training information
Taught sessions are led by a qualified tutor who guides the learner group, which is not more than 10 learners, to develop the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required pass the apprenticeship.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 9-4 or equivalent)
- maths (grade 9-4 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
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
A genuine commitment to learning and personal development coupled with a willingness to ask questions and have a go.
About this employer
Secondary Special School.
Our 152 fantastic students have ASC or moderate learning difficulties. In coming years, we expect more of our cohort to have ASC.
https://www.southlandsnt.org.uk/ (opens in new tab)
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
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
We are keen to grow our own talent and welcome apprentices to apply for appropriate roles within the school once they have developed the relevant knowledge and skills, and grown in confidence.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
NORTH TYNESIDE METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL
Helen Clark
helen.clark@southlandsnt.org.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000056515.
Apply now
Closes in 9 days (Friday 16 October 2026 at 11:59pm)