Business Administrator Apprentice

The Opossum Federation Is seeking a proactive and professional individual to join our administrative team as a Business Administrator Apprentice.

In this role, you will provide an effective front-of-house service for our diverse community while simultaneously completing a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship with DBC Training.

Key Responsibilities (On-the-Job Training)

While working within our office team, you will undertake duties directly related to your apprenticeship standards:

Front of House: Serve as the first point of contact, ensuring a welcoming environment for visitors, staff, and pupils Administration: Manage the school dinner money system, maintain pupil records and produce school documents Communication: Handle telephone and face-to-face enquiries, manage post/emails, and ensure high-standard communication with all stakeholders Project Management: As part of your level 3 qualification, you will identify, lead, and manage a business improvement project to enhance school operations Events Support: Assist in organising school trips, parents' evenings, and sports days

Apprenticeship Programme Highlights:

This 16-18 month programme includes both on-the-Job (80%) and off-the-job training Monthly 1-2-1s: Dedicated support from a DBC Development Coach Curriculum: Modules include Understanding Organisations, Stakeholders, Business Fundamentals, IT, and Project Management Learning Methods: Workshops, online webinars via Microsoft Teams, job shadowing, and reflective journals End-Point Assessment (EPA): Achievement is recognised through a multiple-choice knowledge test, a portfolio discussion, and a presentation of your improvement project

 What We Are Looking For:

To succeed in this role and apprenticeship, you should demonstrate:

Initiative: The ability to take personal responsibility and suggest ideas for business improvements IT Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and a willingness to learn management information systems Professionalism: A calm and professional manner when dealing with complex visitor matters or complaints Safeguarding Commitment: Full awareness and compliance with safeguarding duties (KCSIE) to protect our children and young people

Benefits & Future Prospects:

Development: Gain a highly transferable Level 3 qualification from a provider with a 74% Distinction rate Impact: Support a Federation serving approximately 2,000 children and their families Career Path: Upon completion, business administrators can apply their skills across public, private, and charitable sectors

Training:
In addition to gaining practical experience in the role, you will also attain an NVQ Level 3 Business Administration qualification, which will help start your career and give you an insight into the business's processes and procedures Our training is all completed remotely via Teams with a development coach, who will be available for support and will arrange weekly/fortnightly meetings with you You receive 20% off-the-job training during this apprenticeship which is included in your weekly working hours

Training Outcome:
Career progression Higher education

Employer Description:

The Opossum Federation is a federation of schools (including Newport, Dawlish, Oakhill, and Thorpe Hall Primary Schools) that places a high premium on staff development and a sustainable work-life balance.

The Federation has been praised by Ofsted for its proactive approach to reducing staff stress.

"Enriching lives, unleashing possibilities, and building futures."

Professional Development (CPD)

The Federation is widely recognised for its "Pathway to Success" model, ensuring every staff member has a clear route for career progression.

Bespoke CPD Programmes:  Tailored training that encourages staff to flourish, including access to national programmes and internal consultancy.

Leadership Pathways: Opportunities for career progression across the different schools within the Federation, including coaching and mentoring.

Professional Bursaries: Financial support for further professional study (subject to conditions).

Collaborative Planning: Staff work across schools to share resources, subject expertise, and best practices, which significantly enhances professional learning.

Wellbeing & Workload Support:

The Federation has been praised by Ofsted for its proactive approach to reducing staff stress and managing workload.

Workload Reduction: A structured, planned and prepared curriculum and collaborative planning across the federation are designed to reduce the time spent on individual admin and prep.

Working Hours :
Monday to Friday, 12.00pm - 6.00pm. As this role is 6 hours per day, there will not be a lunch break; however, if you prefer to have a break during your working hours, an earlier start time can be discussed to accommodate this.

Skills:
Communication skills,IT skills,Attention to detail,Initiative,Professionalism,Integrity