Join Our Team
Next Steps Education is a specialist alternative provision supporting children and young people with a wide range of additional needs, including SEND, anxiety-based school avoidance, social, emotional and mental health needs, and those requiring personalised educational support.
We are looking for a motivated and organised Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice to join our growing team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop a career in business administration, finance, and office management within a rewarding education setting.
Working alongside experienced colleagues, you will gain practical experience across administration, finance, customer service, compliance, and office operations while studying towards your Level 3 Business Administration qualification at North Devon College in Barnstaple.
The Role
As a Business Administration Apprentice, you will play an important role in supporting the smooth day-to-day running of Next Steps Education. You will provide administrative and finance support whilst developing valuable professional skills in a busy educational environment.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Finance & Administration
- Assisting with bookkeeping activities, including filing banking transactions and maintaining organised financial records.
- Filing and managing supplier invoices, remittance documentation, purchase orders and journals.
- Registering new suppliers on accounting software systems.
- Supporting invoice preparation and recording of services delivered.
- Maintaining and updating records of client rates.
- Assisting with the preparation of documentation for HMRC, including intermediary reports and VAT returns.
- Processing purchase orders and undertaking accurate data entry.
- Supporting the timely communication of financial information across the organisation.
- Office & Reception Duties
- Sharing responsibility for front-of-house duties.
- Greeting visitors and creating a professional, welcoming environment.
- Managing visitor sign-in procedures and maintaining safeguarding requirements.
- Supporting health and safety, fire safety and office compliance procedures.
- Answering telephone calls and responding to enquiries professionally.
- Managing office stationery and resource stock levels.
- Supporting general administrative and office management tasks.
- Business Support
- Maintaining accurate digital and paper records.
- Compiling key performance indicators for clients.
- Assisting with document preparation and filing.
- Supporting organisational projects and operational improvements.
- Working professionally with colleagues, schools, local authorities, tutors, mentors and external partners.
Hours: Term time plus two weeks during school holidays (42 weeks per year), 32.5 hours per week
Qualification Awarded: Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship
Location: Bideford, North Devon (office-based) and North Devon College, Barnstaple (training)
Start Date: To be agreed. North Devon College have courses starting in October and January.
What We're Looking For
We are seeking someone who is:
- Enthusiastic and eager to learn.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
- Confident using Microsoft Office applications.
- Able to communicate professionally with a range of stakeholders.
- Reliable, trustworthy and capable of handling confidential information appropriately.
- Comfortable working as part of a team and using their own initiative.
- Interested in business administration, finance and office management.
- Able to adapt to new software applications.
Essential Requirements
- GCSE Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent) in English and Maths, or willingness to work towards these qualifications as part of the apprenticeship.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Desirable
- Previous experience in an office, customer service or administrative environment.
- An interest in education, finance or business operations.
What We Offer
- A nationally recognised Level 3 Business Administration qualification.
- Support and mentoring from experienced professionals.
- Hands-on experience in finance, administration and office management.
- Opportunities to develop transferable skills for future career progression.
- A friendly and supportive working environment.
- The opportunity to contribute to an organisation making a real difference to young people's lives.
About Next Steps Education
Next Steps Education provides bespoke alternative provision and specialist support for children and young people across Devon and surrounding areas. We are passionate about creating positive outcomes through personalised, relationship-based approaches that help learners overcome barriers to education and achieve their potential.
Find out more at: www.nextstepseducation.org
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a brief covering letter explaining why you would like to join Next Steps Education and what interests you about the apprenticeship.
Closing Date: 21 August 2026
Interview Date: 27 August 2026
Next Steps Education Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate safeguarding checks. You will need a current Enhanced DBS for this role (we can enable a DBS application on your behalf where necessary).
Pay: £12,790.00-£20,310.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
Work Location: In person
