Apprentice Administrative Assistant in Rochester

Start your career in administration with a varied and rewarding apprenticeship in a busy secondary school. Supported by experienced colleagues, you will develop practical administrative, communication and organisational skills while contributing to the day-to-day running of the school.

Wage: £15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices.

Hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:00am - 4:00pm. Friday, 8:00am - 3:30pm. With a 30 minute (unpaid) lunch break each day. 37 hours a week.

Duration: 1 year 6 months.

What you’ll do at work:

• Providing general administrative support, including preparing letters and documents, photocopying, filing, data entry and maintaining accurate records.
• Answering telephone calls and responding appropriately to routine enquiries from staff, students, parents and visitors.
• Supporting Reception when required, including welcoming visitors, assisting with signing in and out, recording deliveries and helping with general enquiries.
• Assisting with student administration, including maintaining student files, preparing routine correspondence and helping with timetable, locker and lost property enquiries.
• Supporting the administration of school events such as Open Mornings, Parents’ Evenings, school visits, Sports Day and other school activities.
• Assisting with communications to parents and carers, including preparing standard letters, forms and electronic communications.
• Supporting the administration of staff absence and lesson cover, including recording absence information and assisting with communication with supply agencies.
• Assisting with the preparation, photocopying and collation of school reports, examination papers and other school documentation.
• Helping to maintain office resources and records, including ensuring printers and administrative areas have the necessary paper, toner and other supplies.
• Working professionally and confidentially at all times, following school policies and procedures and safeguarding requirements.
• Undertaking appropriate training and development as part of the apprenticeship and applying the skills and knowledge gained within the workplace.
• Invoicing to purchase equipment, and organising the setup and payment facilities for trips/activities.

Where you’ll work: City Way, Rochester, ME1 2FA.

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

Requirements:

• GCSE in maths and English (grade A*-C/9-4).
• Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills:

• Customer care skills.
• Initiative.

Other requirements: The role will require the applicant to be able to work on a computer for much of the day, but will provide a wide and varied range of tasks.

About this employer: St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School is a co-educational secondary school and sixth form in the heart of historic Rochester, providing a comprehensive, faith-based education for students of all abilities. We are a supportive community committed to excellence in learning and helping every student reach their potential. Our experienced teaching and support staff work closely together, with many colleagues choosing to remain with the school for many years. Our modern, purpose-built school opened in 2023 and provides excellent facilities and IT throughout. We have excellent train and bus links, with free onsite parking for staff and visitors.

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, the skills and experience gained will provide a strong foundation for a career in school administration or the wider education sector. Future opportunities could include roles in general administration, reception, student services, attendance, examinations, admissions or other school support functions, with the potential to progress to more senior administrative roles as experience develops.

The contact for this apprenticeship is: COLCHESTER INSTITUTE 01206712043. The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000048361.