Executive Support & Projects Assistant Apprentice

As our Executive Support & Projects Assistant Apprentice, you will work closely with the Chief Executive and Executive Team to help ensure that their work is well organised, coordinated and followed through.

You will gain a unique insight into the leadership and management of a large and growing group of primary schools. No two days will be the same. You might be organising diaries and meetings, preparing documents, updating project plans, checking that actions have been
completed, producing reports or helping colleagues to keep important Trust information accurate and up to date.

This is more than a traditional administrative role. You will be involved in work that supports the Trust’s strategic priorities and contributes to the education of thousands of children across our schools.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing day-to-day administrative and organisational support to the Chief Executive and Executive Team
• Managing the Chief Executive’s diary and helping to coordinate meetings, school visits and other commitments
• Supporting the coordination of Executive Team diaries and forward plans
• Scheduling meetings and appointments and helping to resolve routine diary clashes
• Preparing agendas, meeting papers, presentations and supporting information
• Collating documents and information so that senior colleagues are well prepared for meetings
• Taking notes and recording actions from meetings where required
• Maintaining project plans, action logs and implementation trackers
• Monitoring deadlines and project milestones and following up agreed actions
• Helping to maintain the Trust’s Delivery & Impact Framework, which tracks progress against its key priorities
• Gathering updates from colleagues and producing progress reports, summaries and RAG-rated information
• Supporting the use of Trust information systems and databases
• Checking that reports, records and data are complete, accurate and up to date
• Producing routine reports and dashboards for the Executive Team
• Drafting routine correspondence and communications
• Maintaining electronic filing systems, document libraries and standard templates
• Helping to organise Executive Team meetings, Trust conferences and other events
• Responding to routine enquiries and directing them to the appropriate colleague
• Carrying out research and gathering information to support Trust projects and decision-making
• Handling confidential and sensitive information professionally
• Working positively with colleagues across the Trust and its schools

You will receive support and guidance throughout the apprenticeship and will have dedicated time to complete your training.

The full job description explains that the post combines executive support, project coordination, action tracking, information management and communication.

Apprenticeships include dedicated time away from day-to-day duties for specialist training and development.

• Training provider: Train Together Ltd
• Training course:Business administrator (level 3)

What you’ll learn:

The 15-month programme will help you develop the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours needed to work effectively in a wide range of business and administrative roles.

Your training will cover areas including:

• The business environment and how organisations operate
• Professional development and managing your own performance
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Business principles and administrative processes
• Legislation, regulation and confidentiality
• Project management
• Information and communication technology
• Change management
• Document production and records management
• Quality and process improvement

Training is delivered through a combination of live online sessions, face-to-face learning and online content. You will also have regular support from the training provider and colleagues
within the Trust. During the final stage of the apprenticeship, you will prepare for an end-point assessment consisting of a multiple-choice test, a presentation and a professional discussion.

Your contracted hours include dedicated time to complete apprenticeship learning, training activities and assessment preparation.

We hope that successful completion of the apprenticeship will lead to a permanent role within Chester Diocesan Academies Trust, subject to organisational requirements and the availability of a suitable vacancy.

The knowledge and experience gained could support progression into roles such as:

• Executive Assistant
• Business Support Officer
• Project Support Officer
• Administration Officer
• Operations Coordinator
• Office Manager
• Governance or education administration roles

You may also choose to progress to a higher-level apprenticeship or further study in business, management, leadership or project management.