Salary: £8.00/hr, as per government rates for 16-19yr olds
Location: Nightingale Community Academy, Beechcroft Road, SW17 7DF
Working Pattern: 37 hours per week (including allocated apprenticeship study time)
Contract: Fixed Term – 18 Month Apprenticeship
Nightingale Community Academy is a special school in Wandsworth, providing education for boys aged 5 to 19 with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs. Our primary pupils benefit from a purpose-built classroom hub, an outdoor adventure playground, weekly music lessons, and a comprehensive therapy service. Secondary and post-16 students have access to a broad curriculum, including vocational courses such as motor vehicle studies, construction, horticulture, and hospitality. All pupils also enjoy regular animal therapy sessions at Tom’s Farm, located on our expansive school grounds.
Staff at Nightingale Community Academy take pride in the development of young people in a safe and stimulating environment and are offered a rewarding and varied career in return.
The Business Administration Apprentice will work towards achieving the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship whilst supporting the smooth running of Nightingale Community Academy's administration functions.
Working alongside experienced colleagues, the apprentice will gain valuable practical experience across School Administration, Human Resources, Finance, Recruitment, Admissions and Reception, developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for a successful career in business administration.
The apprentice will be expected to demonstrate professionalism, confidentiality and excellent customer service whilst supporting staff, learners, parents and external professionals.
Key Responsibilities
• Provide high-quality administrative support across Nightingale Community Academy.
• Act as a professional first point of contact for pupils, parents, visitors and external agencies.
• Support the administration of recruitment, HR, admissions and finance processes.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, spreadsheets and other documentation using Microsoft Office.
• Maintain accurate electronic and paper-based records, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with GDPR.
• Assist with organising meetings, interviews, school events and training sessions.
• Support the maintenance of school databases and administrative systems.
• Work collaboratively with staff across both school sites to ensure the efficient running of administrative services.
• Complete all requirements of the Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship, including off-the-job training, coursework and reviews.
• Promote the values of Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust whilst maintaining high standards of professionalism and customer service.
Key Requirements
• Eligible to undertake the Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship.
• GCSE Grade 4/C or above in English and Maths (or willingness to achieve these through the apprenticeship if required).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload effectively.
• Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Professional, reliable and committed to providing excellent customer service.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Willingness to learn, develop new skills and work towards achieving the apprenticeship qualification.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a busy school environment.
OHCAT is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:
Rewards & Benefits:
• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment
• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme and Free Virtual GP Appointments
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)
Find out what makes Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust a truly rewarding place to work – visit our ‘Work for Us’ page to learn more about our values, opportunities and the difference our staff make every day.
Our Trust:
Nightingale Community Academy is part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre-school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our website.
We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.
Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.
As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.
It is an exciting time to be part of OHCAT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.
If you wish to discuss this opportunity before or after submitting an application form, please get in touch with the School directly. Visits to the School in advance of applications are encouraged.
Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.
To apply for this role, please click ‘Fast Apply’, you will then be directed to a ‘Login’ page, once signed in, please complete and submit the Application Form.
Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.
To ensure a fair opportunity for all applicants, candidates who have applied for this position in the past 6 months will not be considered.
Closing Date: 07/08/2026
Interviews will take place on: 10/08/2026
To help us manage applications effectively, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received.