Post: Business Services Assistant
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary Range: SCP 10 – SCP 12 (£28,608 - £29,542 FTE)
Working Type: Full Time [37 hours / 52 weeks]
Base: Thorp Academy, Main Road, Ryton, Tyne & Wear, NE40 3AH
Please note:the post holder will be engaging in regulated activity, working mainly or wholly with children. This position is exempt from the rehabilitation of offender’s act 1974. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
Northern Education Trust (NET) is a charitable education Trust with a good track record for school improvement. The Trust sponsors 30 academies; 17 secondary and 13 primaries across the North of England in fourteen Local Authority regions.
Northern Education Trust, Thorp Academy is seeking a dedicated, organised, and proactive Business Services Assistant to provide operational support to the Business Manager, academy, and trust. In this varied post, you will serve as an administrative hub across key operational functions—including HR, finance, procurement, and health and safety—ensuring the efficient running of the academy while maintaining full compliance with Trust policies and legislative guidelines.
Key Responsibilities
- Administrative Support: Maintain paper and electronic filing systems, minute confidential meetings, and coordinate transport, travel, accommodation, training events, and community lettings.
- HR & Recruitment: Liaise with Central HR and external advertising agencies, prepare shortlisting packs, issue interview invitations, process new appointments and contract changes using standard templates, and track staff absences and occupational health referrals.
- Data & Systems Administration: Maintain accurate employee data, respond to day-to-day HR, payroll, and expense queries, and support data dashboard reporting (including Hays training, business continuity, risk management, and incident reporting).
- Compliance & Safeguarding: Maintain the Single Central Record (SCR), process DBS checks for staff, volunteers, and visitors, and strictly adhere to GDPR regulations and Trust policies.
- Finance & Operations: Assist with procurement to secure best value for money under Financial Regulations, support internal/external audits, process insurance claims via the Trust broker, and assist site staff with health and safety reporting.
Northern Education Trust offers:
The opportunity to work and progress across the family of schools, should you wish in the future;
The chance to apply for leadership roles in the Deeps structure taking on a whole school leadership project;
The support and expertise of Director of Subjects.
A full and detailed programme of support and development for all;
A further comprehensive programme of professional development, including leadership, provided through the NET Staff College.
Employee benefits
In accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, an online search will be completed on all shortlisted applicants prior to interview. Any relevant information will be discussed further with the applicant during the interview process.
The Trust is committed to considering flexible working requests.
The Trust is committed to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. All posts are subject to enhanced disclosure and barring service checks. We expect all adults to share our commitment to safeguarding and the health and wellbeing of our pupils.
For more information, please contact Sophie Curry, Business Manager at s.curry@northerneducationtrust.org
Closing date: 9am, Monday 2nd November 2026
Business Services Assistant in Ryton employer: Northern Education Trust
Freebrough Academy, as part of Northern Education Trust, is an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and collaborative work culture. With a focus on employee growth and development, staff are encouraged to enhance their skills while contributing to a nurturing educational environment in the beautiful coastal town of Saltburn-by-the-Sea. The academy offers a fulfilling opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of students and the community.
