Job Description
Business Administration Apprentice (Attendance Assistant)
Location: Norwich NR4 7LP
Salary: Apprenticeship rate of pay in line with government guidance (21 and over: £12.21 per hour, 18 to 20: £10 per hour, Under 18: £7.55 per hour, Apprentice first year: £7.55 per hour)
Hours: 37 hours a week, term-time +1 week
Closing Date: 12 noon, Wednesday 03 September 2025
The Academy is a dynamic, nurturing learning community with the highest expectations and aspirations for their students and staff. They strive to ensure that every child, irrespective of their starting point, receives an excellent education enabling them to become the best version of themselves. They are committed to ensuring all their students succeed and embrace the opportunities and experiences available to them.
The Academy is part of the Sapientia Education Trust, working together to build a highly successful community Academy for all their students.
The Role
They are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic Business Administration Apprentice (Attendance Assistant) to join their busy Attendance Team. This is an exciting opportunity to gain valuable experience whilst also studying. The successful candidate will be interested in pursuing a career in administration and being part of their growing team.
The post of Business Administration Apprentice (Attendance Assistant) at the Academy forms part of the high-profile Administration Services Team who support the teaching and learning provision across the Academy and provide a first point of contact for parents and carers. The person appointed will ensure the main school attendance register and all associated tasks are carried out in accordance with statutory requirements and the academy’s own attendance policy along with general tasks undertaken by the Academy Office team, reporting to the Attendance Manager.
This is a 12–16 month developmental role that includes course fees, paid study leave and the opportunity to apply your learning in your day to day work. The post-holder will be expected to complete Business Administration (Level 2/3) apprenticeship.
This is an integral post and the ideal candidate will possess strong team working skills, as well as the ability to work independently, attention to detail and have a keen interest to develop a career in administration. This will involve developing, implementing, maintaining and improving administrative services. The ability to communicate effectively with staff, students and parents and other external stakeholders face to face, via telephone and in writing will be an essential part of this role.
Key Responsibilities
* Ensure the Academy MIS system is updated throughout the day
* First point of contact for the reporting of absences
* Communicating with parents, carers and academic departments
* Processing and recording leave of absence requests
* Accompanying lead pastoral staff on home visits
* Undertake pre-emptive early morning calls for previously absent students
* Running attendance reports and updating registration coding
* Update the Academy's At-Risk Register, liaising with the Safeguarding Team and appropriate staff
* Liaise with other academy support services e.g. SEND, Behaviour and Safeguarding teams to ensure student whereabouts are accurately recorded
* Visit lessons/classes to resolve registration issues and report accordingly
* Reporting all unauthorised absences and escalating all concerns
* Assist with the smooth running of the Academy Office as a first point of contact
* Act as a lead first aider as part of the academy rota
* Coordinate UEA outreach programmes in collaboration with Careers Lead and university partners (IntoUniversity), aimed at enhancing student learning and outcomes.
Skills and Qualifications
* The ability to communicate clearly and tactfully using appropriate methods and an awareness of the impact of your own communication on others;
* Able to maintain positive relationships with all and able to work as an effective and flexible part of a team; willing to change methods of work and routines to
* benefit the team;
* Willingness to accept responsibility for your own actions;
* The ability to prioritise effectively, meet deadlines and accept challenges; and
* The ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
* Have excellent organisational skills and be flexible in managing, planning and executing daily, weekly and monthly workloads in a busy office environment
* Have excellent communication skills in person and in writing
* Have a sound track record of administrative experience
* Be familiar with or prepared to be trained on the Academy's student MIS system (SIMS/Go4Schools) and finance systems as required
* Be able to produce accurate work, efficiently, at speed
* Be able to work with initiative
* Work collaboratively within a team
* Be able to analyse problems and be prepared to present solutions;
* Maintain confidentiality and handle situations with care and empathy
* Be able to conduct himself / herself in a confident, professional manner.
* The willingness to undertake First Aid training and be part of the Academy First Aid Team
* A minimum of a grade C / 4 or equivalent in English & Maths GCSE
* Be confident and skilled in the use of Microsoft Office systems to include Word, Excel and Outlook and be familiar with Microsoft 365
* A commitment to complete a Business Administration Apprenticeship (Level 2/3)
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable Education Trust, please click apply to be redirected to their website to complete your application.