Business Apprenticeship - Reception

Oaklands school is a warm, caring and family-centred community and we are looking for someone, personable and organised to join our administration team. The role involves administration e.g. attendance records, booking taxis, first point of contact on reception and organisational support ensuring the efficient operation of the school.

What you'll do

Job Purpose

To provide administrative, reception and organisational support to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the school. To support internal systems, record keeping, communication, and school procedures.

Key Responsibilities

Reception and Communication

• Act as the first point of contact for visitors, families, and professionals
• Answer calls, emails, and face-to-face queries in a professional and supportive manner
• Maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information with discretion
• Administrative Support e.g. booking taxis, dealing with deliveries and lunches.
• Support the Headteacher, SENCo and senior staff with general administration and diary coordination
• Assist with school admissions, data entry, and maintaining pupil records
• Manage filing, documentation, and use of internal systems (e.g. safeguarding, attendance, medical, etc.)

Organisation and Record-Keeping

• Maintain accurate attendance, registers and contact records
• Support preparation for meetings, reports, and school events
• Monitor office supplies and liaise with suppliers and services as needed

Safeguarding and Professional Conduct

Follow Oaklands School‘s safeguarding procedures and attend relevant training. Act with integrity, respect, and confidentiality in all aspects of work.

Training

Group training would be one day a month at WBTC in Newbury or online, alongside a monthly 1-1 training and review meeting.

After the apprenticeship

Ongoing training and personal development are encouraged and supported.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Customer care skills
• Initiative
• Organised
• Flexible
• Multi Task

Qualifications

• Essential: GCSE, English (grade 4)
• Essential: GCSE, Maths (grade 4)

Things to consider

As this is working in a school applicants would need to pass an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Benefits

Free onsite parking

About the employer

Oaklands School is an independent specialist school for children and young people aged 5 to 16 (Years 1 to 11), all of whom have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). We specialise in supporting pupils with Autism and a range of associated communication, language, social, emotional and mental health needs. Our purpose is to ensure that every child receives an education that is personalised, meaningful and responsive to their individual strengths, interests and aspirations.

At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: every child deserves the opportunity to flourish. We recognise that children learn in different ways and at different rates, and we celebrate these differences by providing flexible, evidence-informed approaches that remove barriers to learning. Through our three curriculum pathways, carefully planned therapeutic support and highly personalised teaching, we enable each pupil to make exceptional progress academically, socially and emotionally.

Our school is much more than a place of education. Oaklands is a warm, caring and family-centred community where pupils, families and staff work together with mutual trust and respect. Small class sizes, specialist teaching, enriched learning experiences and close collaboration between teachers, therapists and families ensure that every pupil is known as an individual and supported to achieve success both inside and beyond the classroom.

We firmly believe that parents and carers are their child's first and most important educators. Building strong partnerships with families is central to our work. We listen carefully to the voices of our pupils and parents, ensuring that every Education, Health and Care Plan is brought to life through ambitious, personalised provision that reflects each child's unique journey.

Our mantra encapsulates everything we strive to achieve:

A Passion for Education

A Vision of Excellence

A Mission to Succeed

Apprenticeship details

• Course: Business administrator (level 3), Business and administration
• Apprenticeship level: Advanced (level 3)
• Training provider: WEST BERKSHIRE TRAINING CONSORTIUM
• Expected duration: 1 Year 1 Month
• Hours: 35 hours a week. Working week: Monday to Friday 8.00am - 3.30pm.
• Start date: 2 November 2026
• Positions available: 1
• Wage: £14,560 to £23,132.20 a year