Star Academies
Shadsworth Road
Blackburn
BB1 2HT
Job Title: Degree Apprentice - Business Support Assistant
Grade/Salary: £26,824 to £28,142 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Contract Terms: 37 hours, Full Time
Closing Date: Sunday, 26th July 2026
Required From: September 2026
TO APPLY FOR THIS VACANCY PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW
Do you want to join a talented multi-disciplinary team dedicated to providing a first-class education for children and young people in disadvantaged communities?
Do you want to develop the knowledge, skills and experience needed to become a future business leader?
Do you want to study for a degree from Henley Business School, University of Reading, without paying tuition fees, while earning a salary?
About Star Central
Star Central, which is based at our head office in Blackburn, Lancashire, provides leadership, strategic direction and support to Star Academies, Star Talent Academy and our schools.
The Star Central team includes experts from a range of professional backgrounds, who work together to provide an outstanding support service to the Star community. We support our schools to provide educational and operational excellence and to cultivate a strong Star community, with the aim of nurturing today’s young people and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.
Who We’re Looking for
We are seeking an ambitious and enthusiastic individual to join our Business Support team while studying towards a Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (BA (Hons) Management Practice) with Henley Business School, University of Reading.
This is an excellent opportunity to build a strong foundation in business administration, management and leadership while making a meaningful contribution to an organisation that is transforming the life chances of young people.
As a Business Support Assistant you will gain valuable experience supporting business operations and strategic projects across Star Central. Working within the Star Central Business Support department, you will support the delivery of key projects and initiatives, maintain accurate records, prepare reports and communications, and contribute to continuous improvement activities.
You will work with a wide range of departments and stakeholders, providing an excellent foundation for a future career in business, operations or management. As your experience develops, you will take increasing ownership of your work and be encouraged to identify opportunities to improve systems and processes.
If you are highly organised, proactive, detail-oriented and eager to learn, with a passion for developing a career in business management, we encourage you to apply.
Apply via: https://www.jobtrain.co.uk/starcareers/Job/JobDetail?JobId=13201.
About the Apprenticeship
The Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (BA (Hons) Management Practice) combines practical workplace experience with academic study, helping you develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for a successful career in business and leadership.
On successful completion, you will achieve:
- Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship
- BA (Hons) Management Practice from Henley Business School, University of Reading
- CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership
Most of your time will be spent working and learning on the job at Star Central, supported by experienced colleagues and a dedicated mentor. Alongside this, you will undertake university-led study, including online learning and 21 on-campus study days at the Whiteknights Campus, Henley Business School, University of Reading over the three-year programme (Year 1 – 8 days, Year 2 – 8 days, Year 3 – 5 days).
You will receive a competitive salary from day one, access to Star's flexible benefits package and fully funded tuition fees, enabling you to earn while you learn and graduate debt-free.
You Will Have:
- A minimum of three A Levels at ABB or equivalent (these may be strongly predicted grades at the point of application)
- A minimum of five GCSE qualifications at grade 5 or above, including English and Mathematics
- No more than 2 years’ work experience
You must have left full time education by the time the apprenticeship starts and have been resident in the UK for at least three years.
Additional guidance for Year 13 Students
If you are currently in Year 13, please include your predicted grades within your personal statement.
Your school or college will be required to provide a reference and confirm your predicted grades. Please ensure that the appropriate school or college leader is aware of your application, provide their official work email address in the reference section of your application, and ask them to be prepared for any reference requests we may send.
About Star Academies
Star Academies is a high-performing multi-academy trust that runs more than 30 primary and secondary schools. We are a values-based organisation that works to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Every single day you’ll be rewarded with the opportunity to shape a young person’s future - our STAR values embody what we believe is needed to succeed.
Professional development is key to our ongoing success, so we continually invest in our employees through our professional development hub, Star Talent Academy. With a wealth of training, mentoring and progression opportunities across a large, growing group of academies, joining our team of leading education experts could propel your career to the next level.
We can also offer you a range of rewards and benefits, including competitive salaries and pension schemes, generous holiday entitlements and healthcare cash plans.
Find Out More
For an informal and confidential discussion about the role please contact Star Central by calling 0330 313 9800.
You should ensure your application form and supporting statement address all elements of the person specification. We will only consider candidates who meet the vast majority of the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.
Our Commitment
Star Academies is committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of pupils. Our comprehensive recruitment and selection processes aim to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Successful candidates are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks.
We are equally committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity. We aim for our workforce to be representative of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to providing equality and fairness in our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.
This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory check supplied by the Disclosure and Barring Service. The check will include any cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions.
