Office Administrator Apprentice at Cobham Primary School in Gravesend

Introduction

This role provides administrative support to the school under the direction of the School Business Manager and Senior Leadership Team.

About the Employer

At Cobham Primary School, our core purpose is to broaden the horizons of every child, so that any door is open to them.

We are a warm, vibrant, and highly ambitious community guided by our BEACON values: Belonging, Excellence, Aspiration, Courage, Ownership, and Nurture.

These principles ensure that every pupil and staff member feels safe, respected, and inspired to succeed.

We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional, evidence‑informed teaching and learning through an ambitious and diverse curriculum.

Our pioneering inclusive practices ensure that every child—especially our most vulnerable—achieves well beyond their expectations.

As a member of our team, you will join a deeply supportive culture committed to organisational health.

We believe in nurturing our staff just as we do our pupils.

We foster an aligned team culture built on open, honest, mutual accountability, and high‑quality professional investment.

At the heart of Cobham, we guide our whole community to be respectful, responsible, and ready to learn.

If you are an inspiring, courageous professional who shares our passion for equity and exceptional care, we would love to welcome you to our team.

Join us, and help us ensure that no limit is placed on what our children can achieve.

What You’ll Do

Our Office team are the first point of contact for most people with our school, setting the tone for our relationships and reputation.

The team upholds and represents the school values: Belonging, Excellence, Aspiration, Courage and Nurture to the highest standards.

Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact in response to telephone and face‑to‑face enquiries, ensuring a warm, professional, and inclusive welcome that reflects Cobham’s culture.
• Safeguard: manage visitor sign‑in protocols, ensure a welcoming environment alongside site and visitor security.
• Information
• Systems

Management: update manual and computerised records/management information systems (MIS) with attention to detail and maintain the school’s internal and external calendars.

• General Administration: prepare and distribute meeting documents and capture accurate notes.
• Financial Administration: keep clear financial records and update the finance manager accurately.
• Enrichment Support: coordinate and arrange schedules for visiting professionals (e. g., school nurse, photographer, and external specialists).
• Leadership Support: provide administrative support directly to the Business Manager and Headteacher.
• Transparent Problem Solving: solve problems independently and proactively seek support for problem solving where needed.
• Operational Resilience: monitor the school environment and infrastructure, promptly reporting faulty machinery or equipment to maintain safety and minimal disruption.
• Safeguarding Compliance: ensure the timely and systematic collection of attendance registers, following up on absences.
• Resource Stewardship: organise orderly, efficient, and secure storage of school supplies, ensuring resources are monitored and responsibly managed.
• Information Logistics: independently manage the office inbox, sharing information efficiently across the team.
• Financial Responsibility: handle cash collections (e. g., fundraising).
• Compassionate
• Pupil

Care: act as the comforting first point of contact for sick or distressed pupils, creating a calm, reassuring, and supportive environment (First Aid training will be provided).

• Sensitive Communication: liaise empathetically with parents, carers, and internal staff regarding pupil medical needs and general welfare.
• Meal Support: administer documentation and systems relating to school meals, ensuring children’s daily dietary preferences and logistical needs are met efficiently.
• Medical Support: track medicines provided by parents and administer as required.
• Training Outcome

The right candidate would be able to make this a permanent role.

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Literacy skills
• Numeracy skills
• Computer literacy
• Work to deadlines
• Ability to ask questions
• Confident telephone manner
• Accurate messages
• Good organisational skills
• Ability to use a filing system
• Take accurate notes
• Retain and use information
• Work confidentially
• Attend training courses
• Administrative support tasks
• Equality and diversity
• Respecting needs and views
• Health and safety
• Courteous and confident

Qualifications

Essential

GCSE English and Maths A* to C or 9 to 4, or predicted.

Desired

Any level 2 or 3 qualification – Business studies or similar – Pass or predicted grade.

Course Information

Course: Business administrator (level 3). Level: 3. Route: Business and Administration. Apprenticeship Level: Advanced.

• Working Arrangements
• Working Week: 38 weeks per year, Monday‑Friday, 8.00am – 2.30pm with 30 mins for lunch.
• Expected Duration: 1 Year 3 Months.
• Training Provider: PROFILE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING LIMITED.
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