Business Apprenticeship - Reception/Administration

OAKLANDS SEN SCHOOL BERKSHIRE LIMITED

Hungerford (RG17 0YT)

Closes in 13 days (Monday 19 October 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 5 October 2026

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Summary

Oaklands school is a warm, caring and family-centred community and we are looking for someone, personable and organised to join our administration team. The role involves administration e.g. attendance records, booking taxis, first point of contact on reception and organisational support ensuring the efficient operation of the school. 

• Wage:

  £14,560 to £23,132.20, depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Salary will be discussed, based on age and experience.

  This is term time only plus Inset Days, plus holiday entitlement.

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: Monday to Friday 8.00am - 3.30pm.

  35 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 2 November 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 1 month

• 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

Job Purpose

To provide administrative, reception and organisational support to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the school. To support internal systems, record keeping, communication, and school procedures.

Key Responsibilities

Reception and Communication

• Act as the first point of contact for visitors, families, and professionals
• Answer calls, emails, and face-to-face queries in a professional and supportive manner
• Maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information with discretion
• Administrative Support e.g. booking taxis, dealing with deliveries and lunches.
• Support the Headteacher, SENCo and senior staff with general administration and diary coordination
• Assist with school admissions, data entry, and maintaining pupil records
• Manage filing, documentation, and use of internal systems (e.g. safeguarding, attendance, medical, etc.)

Organisation and Record-Keeping

• Maintain accurate attendance, registers and contact records
• Support preparation for meetings, reports, and school events
• Monitor office supplies and liaise with suppliers and services as needed

Safeguarding and Professional Conduct

Follow Oaklands School‘s safeguarding procedures and attend relevant training. Act with integrity, respect, and confidentiality in all aspects of work.

Where you'll work

Norgate House
Tealgate
Hungerford
RG17 0YT

Training

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

Training provider

WEST BERKSHIRE TRAINING CONSORTIUM

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

Group training would be one day a month at WBTC in Newbury or online, alongside a monthly 1-1 training and review meeting.

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
• Customer care skills
• Initiative
• Organised
• Flexible
• Multi Task

Other requirements

As this is working in a school applicants would need to pass an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

About this employer

Oaklands School is an independent specialist school for children and young people aged 5 to 16 (Years 1 to 11), all of whom have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). We specialise in supporting pupils with Autism and a range of associated communication, language, social, emotional and mental health needs. Our purpose is to ensure that every child receives an education that is personalised, meaningful and responsive to their individual strengths, interests and aspirations.

At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: every child deserves the opportunity to flourish. We recognise that children learn in different ways and at different rates, and we celebrate these differences by providing flexible, evidence-informed approaches that remove barriers to learning. Through our three curriculum pathways, carefully planned therapeutic support and highly personalised teaching, we enable each pupil to make exceptional progress academically, socially and emotionally.

Our school is much more than a place of education. Oaklands is a warm, caring and family-centred community where pupils, families and staff work together with mutual trust and respect. Small class sizes, specialist teaching, enriched learning experiences and close collaboration between teachers, therapists and families ensure that every pupil is known as an individual and supported to achieve success both inside and beyond the classroom.

We firmly believe that parents and carers are their child's first and most important educators. Building strong partnerships with families is central to our work. We listen carefully to the voices of our pupils and parents, ensuring that every Education, Health and Care Plan is brought to life through ambitious, personalised provision that reflects each child's unique journey.

Our mantra encapsulates everything we strive to achieve:

A Passion for Education
A Vision of Excellence
A Mission to Succeed

https://www.oaklands-school.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Free onsite parking 

After this apprenticeship

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

Ongoing training and personal development are encouraged and supported.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WEST BERKSHIRE TRAINING CONSORTIUM

Rachel Eaves

rachel@wbtc-uk.com

07922426414

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000056916.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Monday 19 October 2026 at 11:59pm)