School Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship
Designed for people working in school administration and business support roles, this 15-month apprenticeship develops practical expertise across finance, HR, governance, compliance, procurement, estates, digital working and projects.
Developed in response to feedback and conversations with schools, the programme also incorporates key themes from Serco’s Aspiring School Business Managers Programme, helping learners build confidence, take on greater responsibility and progress towards wider school business roles.
Learning can be applied directly in the workplace, helping staff strengthen their contribution while supporting more efficient and effective school operations.
The programme leads to a nationally recognised Level 3 apprenticeship and provides a clear pathway towards school business management and the Level 4 School Business Professional Apprenticeship.
Apply before 16 October to secure a place for the November intake.
Learning
you work
- School business administration skills
- Workplace-focused learning
- School business career progression
Build Your School Business Team
The School Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship is designed for school administration and business support staff ready to develop their skills and take on greater responsibility.
Learners build practical knowledge across finance, HR, governance, procurement, estates and digital working, while developing professional confidence and emerging leadership skills.
School Business Administration – Understanding school and trust structures, operational coordination, policies and the wider school business environment.
Communication & Stakeholders – Building professional relationships, communicating effectively and developing confidence to influence and support others.
Planning & Organisation – Managing priorities, coordinating administrative activities and supporting efficient day-to-day operations.
Finance & Procurement – Supporting financial administration, purchase orders, invoices, supplier records, quotations and value-for-money decisions.
People & HR Administration – Supporting recruitment, onboarding, safer recruitment checks, workforce records, wellbeing and inclusive practice.
Compliance & Governance – Supporting compliance, risk and information governance, alongside effective governance and meeting administration.
Estates & Sustainability – Supporting premises, contractor coordination, asset records, compliance, accessibility and environmental responsibilities.
Digital, Projects & Change – Using digital tools and data effectively while supporting projects, service improvement and organisational change.
Emerging Leadership – Building professional confidence, problem-solving, influencing and stakeholder engagement while preparing for greater res
Career Development & Progression – Building on key themes from our Aspiring School Business Managers Programme, learners explore career development and progression into school business management and wider school business roles.
Successful apprentices will develop:
- Practical school business administration skills
- Knowledge across finance, HR, governance, procurement and estates
- Stronger digital, project and problem-solving skills
- Professional confidence and emerging leadership skills
- Greater understanding of school and trust operations
- A clear pathway towards wider school business roles
You will also receive:
- A nationally recognised Level 3 apprenticeship
- Structured coaching and regular progress reviews
- Practical learning applied directly in the workplace
- Support to develop workplace evidence
- Dedicated End-Point Assessment preparation and a mock EPA session
The cost of this apprenticeship is £5,000.
If your organisation pays the Growth and Skills Levy, available levy funds can be used towards eligible apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
For non-levy-paying employers, funding depends on the apprentice’s age:
- Aged 16–24: the government will fund 100% of eligible training and assessment costs, up to the funding band maximum.
- Aged 25 or over: the government will fund 95% of eligible costs, with the employer contributing the remaining 5%.
If you are a levy-paying employer and your levy funds are exhausted, government support may also be available, depending on the apprentice’s age and eligibility.
Employers and apprentices must meet the relevant apprenticeship funding and eligibility requirements.
For further information, please contact our team or visit the Government’s apprenticeship funding guidance.
pplications are now open for our November 2026 intake of the School Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship.
The programme gives school administration and business support staff the opportunity to broaden their skills, take on greater responsibility and build knowledge across key school business functions.
Learners will develop skills across:
- Finance and procurement
- HR and people administration
- Governance and compliance
- Estates and sustainability
- Digital working and projects
- Communication and emerging leadership
The programme also provides a clear progression pathway towards wider school business roles and further professional development.
Applications close on 16 October 2026. Secure your place ahead of the programme starting on 16 November 2026.
November 2026 Intake
Apply by
16 October 2026
Start date
16 November 2026
Questions about the apprenticeship?
Choosing an apprenticeship can raise questions about funding, eligibility, time commitment and what to expect from the programme.
Our team can help you understand whether the School Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship is right for you or your school, including how the blended learning works and the progression opportunities available.
For independent information, you can also visit the Government’s official guidance:
Apprenticeship funding for employers
Information about apprenticeship funding, including levy and non-levy arrangements.
Employing an apprentice
Guidance on employer responsibilities, training and how apprenticeships work.
Still have a question? Get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to help.
Common Questions
What is the application process?
Once you’ve registered your interest, the application process includes the following steps:
- Complete an online application form
- Complete a skills scan relevant to the apprenticeship
- Complete an English and Maths initial assessment
- Complete a Cognassist assessment. Learn More
- Provide proof of ID
- Take part in a remote interview
- Complete registration documents with your line manager
Please note: Applications received after the deadline for a particular intake will normally be considered for the next available cohort.
To secure your place, all required registration documents must be completed by the onboarding deadline. This includes any documents that need to be completed or approved by your line manager.
What is the time commitment?
The apprenticeship includes 360 hours of planned learning across the 15-month programme, combining live workshops, e-learning and practical workplace activities.
Learning takes place alongside your role, giving you opportunities to apply new knowledge and skills directly in your school or trust. You’ll also receive regular 1:1 coaching and progress reviews (every 10 -12 weeks) with your employer to help you stay on track.
Your employer will need to support you with the time and workplace opportunities required to complete your apprenticeship learning.
How long does it take to complete?
The School Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship is a 15-month programme, followed by End-Point Assessment.
While 15 months is a meaningful commitment, the programme is structured around regular workshops, workplace learning and progress reviews, helping learners build their skills gradually alongside their role. With opportunities to put learning into practice throughout, the programme is designed to feel manageable and purposeful.
The time invested supports not only successful completion of the apprenticeship, but also greater confidence, broader school business knowledge and progression into wider school business roles.
What other considerations are there?
An apprenticeship combines structured learning with development in the workplace, so you’ll need to balance your studies with your day-to-day role.
Your employer will need to support you throughout the programme and provide opportunities to apply your learning across relevant areas of school business administration.
The programme includes online and face-to-face workshops, e-learning, workplace activities and regular coaching. You’ll be expected to complete learning activities between sessions, meet agreed deadlines and build evidence of how you are applying your skills at work.
Some learning will be self-directed, so being organised, motivated and willing to put new skills into practice will be important.
Before registering your interest, we recommend discussing the apprenticeship with your line manager to make sure you have their support and the opportunity to complete the required workplace learning.
What You’ll Gain
- Broader school business knowledge and practical skills
- Skills that can improve day-to-day school operations
- Greater confidence to take on more responsibility
- Stronger communication, problem-solving and emerging leadership
- A nationally recognised Level 3 apprenticeship
- A pathway into school business management and Level 4 progression
What You'll Study
Why Choose Serco?
With extensive experience supporting professional development across the education sector, Serco understands the real-world pressures, priorities and development needs of schools and trusts.
The School Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship is designed inline with ISBL Professional Standards to deliver practical value from the outset. Learners benefit from expert-led workshops, personalised coaching, structured progress reviews and dedicated End-Point Assessment preparation, helping them stay supported and apply their learning confidently in the workplace.
For schools, it’s a practical way to develop and retain talent, strengthen capability across key business functions and create a progression pathway for the school business professionals of the future.
Interested in the Programme?
The School Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship is ideal for school administration and business support staff ready to broaden their skills and take on greater responsibility.
Our team can help you understand:
- Whether Level 3 is right for you or your staff
- Funding and eligibility
- How the blended programme works
- Progression opportunities after completion
Upcoming Start Dates
- Apprenticeships
- Education
- Programme type: Level 3 Apprenticeship
- Price: £5000
- Duration: 15 months
- Delivery: Blended Learning
Upcoming Start Dates
Developed with Schools, for Schools
- Created in response to feedback from schools
- Builds skills across key school business functions
- Practical learning applied in the workplace
- Supports staff development and career progression
Upskill your school business staff
Get in touch with our team to find out more.
- learnerrecruitment@serco.com