Administrative Assistant Apprentice
St. Wilfrid's R.C College
South Shields (NE34 0QA)
Closes in 16 days (Monday 30 November 2026)
Posted on 13 November 2026
Contents
Summary
Join our busy secondary school office team as an Administrative Assistant Apprentice. You'll provide reception and administrative support, respond to enquiries from students, staff and parents, maintain records, process documentation, and assist with daily office tasks while working towards a recognised Business Administration qualification.
- Wage
-
£15,434 a year
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday 08:00-16:00
Friday 08:00 - 15:30
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 4 January 2027
- 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
- Provide a professional, friendly and welcoming
reception service to students, staff, parents, carers and
visitors, acting as a first point of contact for enquiries. - Answer telephone calls, take messages and direct
enquiries to the appropriate member of staff. - Support the school office with a range of administrative
tasks, including photocopying, filing, scanning and
preparing documents. - Assist with maintaining accurate pupil, staff and school
records using the school's management information
systems. - Support the administration of school events,
educational visits and other school activities. - Help to process incoming and outgoing post and
distribute correspondence as required. - Assist with data entry, record keeping and the
preparation of reports and correspondence. - Learn to use a range of school systems and software,
including Microsoft Office packages and other school-based administrative systems. - Support with stock control, ordering and the distribution of office supplies.
- Assist with routine financial and administrative processes under the guidance of senior staff.
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with data protection requirements at all times.
- Follow school policies and procedures, particularly those relating to safeguarding, health and safety, equality and diversity.
- Participate fully in apprenticeship training, reviews and
development activities, applying learning within the workplace. - Work collaboratively with colleagues and contribute positively to the smooth running of the school office and reception function.
Where you'll work
Temple Park Road
South Shields
NE34 0QA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
GATESHEAD 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
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
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Logical
- Reliable
- Punctual
About this employer
St Wilfrid’s RC College is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic
Education Trust which is one of four Trusts in the Diocese of
Hexham and Newcastle. The Trust includes five Secondary and
twenty-five Primary Schools across South Tyneside, Sunderland
and East Durham.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Potential for full time employment for NJC scale
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
GATESHEAD COUNCIL
Oliver Leach
oliverleach@gateshead.gov.uk
0191 433 5613
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000064096.
Apply now
Closes in 16 days (Monday 30 November 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.