Business Administration Apprentice (Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust)

Salary: 18+ £20,932 Full-time Equivalent, 21+ £24,521 Full-time Equivalent
Contract type: Fixed-term
Working pattern: Full-time, term-time only plus two weeks

Closing date: 17:00pm, 10 November 2026
Interview date: 19 November 2026

How to apply: Please complete an application form and return to hr@dcat.academy by 17:00pm on 10 November 2026.  Application forms are available to download on the DCAT website.  Please note that CV’s will not be considered.

Who to contact if you have a query: If you would like to know more about the role, please get in touch with our Operations Manager, Miles Willey - mwilley@dcat.academy

Job Purpose:

To train as a Business Administrator Apprentice and support the effective day-to-day operations of the Trust through the provision of high-quality administrative support. The role will involve developing business administration skills while assisting with office systems, record keeping, customer service and communication activities, contributing to the efficient delivery of services and the overall success of the Trust.

Why this role matters:

The Trust is committed to delivering the Every Child Strategy, ensuring that every pupil flourishes academically, socially and personally. Achieving this ambition requires strong administration, organisation and communication across the organisation.

The Business Administration Apprentice plays an important enabling role in this work. By ensuring that our day-today activities run smoothly and executive leaders are well supported to deliver our strategic priorities, the postholder helps create the conditions in which schools and leaders can focus on what matters most: improving outcomes and opportunities for every pupil.

Through professional administrative support and excellent organisation across the Trust, the role contributes to the collective leadership that underpins the Trust’s mission.

Please find the Job Description and Job Pack for your information.

Key Responsibilities: -

General duties:

• Learn how to undertake administrative tasks, such as email, online diary management, photocopying, processing mail, maintaining filing systems, archives and resource libraries and updating digital information.
• Learn to use Microsoft applications such as Outlook, Sharepoint, Word and Excel.
• Learn to answer the telephone and liaise with staff, clients and other agencies to assist in the delivery of services.
• Learn to produce simple correspondence and reports from written documents.
• Learn how to retrieve data from Management Information systems or databases.
• Liaise with staff, clients, and other agencies, to assist operational staff in the delivery of services.
• Learn to accurately input and process data from databases and spreadsheets.
• Learn to schedule meetings, take minutes and distribute accurate records of meetings.
• Learn to administer travel, warrants, etc, within departmental standards.
• Learn to administer financial processes, including collection and distributions of monies and banking, processing invoices, arranging countersignature and payments.
• Learn to order and maintain stocks of relevant stationery and forms, with the agreement of the Operation Manager.
• Undertake the level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship training.

Other:

• Christian principles underpin the way the organisation runs and its partnership with schools and academies and the post-holder must be committed to the organisation’s vision and values.
• The above responsibilities are subject to the general duties and responsibilities contained in the Statement of Conditions of Employment for support staff. The postholder is expected to work to the best of their ability, to be diligent, honest and ethical in the performance of duties, and to conduct personal and professional life to the highest standard such that public confidence in their integrity is sustained.
• This job description does not form part of the contract of employment and is not a comprehensive definition of the post. The duties of this post may vary from time to time according to the needs of the school/Trust following consultation with the job holder. It will be reviewed periodically.
• The postholder is expected to participate and engage with workplace learning and development opportunities to continually improve their own performance.
• The postholder may deal with sensitive material and should maintain confidentiality in all school related matters as set out in their statement of terms and condition of employment.
• Information about how and why we collect your data can be found in the DCAT Privacy Notice - Staff, Governors & Volunteers which you are required to comply with.
• You are expected to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and to be mindful of the safety of others, to cooperate with instructions, to minimise and mitigate potential hazards and risks to others, and to appropriately report hazards, illnesses, or injuries in accordance with our Health & Safety Policy.

Safeguarding:

The Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We have a robust safeguarding and child protection policy, and all staff will receive training relevant to their role at induction and throughout employment at the school/Trust. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service criminal records check for work with children.

For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record.  An online search will be undertaken for shortlisted candidates as part of the recruitment process on information available in the public domain. Candidates should disclose anything that may be relevant in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.  

The Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust is committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI):

DCAT is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and to creating a workplace where everyone is valued and supported. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are dedicated to ensuring fair, inclusive and transparent recruitment and employment practices, enabling all staff to thrive.