Finance Apprentice

Tudor Park Education Trust and its schools are dynamic and rewarding places to work. There are many opportunities for our staff, both existing and new.

Employer: Tudor Park Education Trust

Hours: 36 hours per week, 52 weeks a year

Annual leave: 26 days a year plus bank holidays

Salary: £28,221 (plus pending NJC April 2026 pay award)

Job type: Apprenticeship (AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting)

Benefits: Workplace pension with LGPS, occupational sick pay, employee assistance programme for staff wellbeing, training opportunities

Established in 2015, Tudor Park Education Trust is an experienced, small trust comprising Springwest Academy and Logic Studio School. Supported by a strong central team, we pride ourselves on a highly collaborative, open, and honest culture where we celebrate what we achieve together. We champion the autonomy of our local Academy Committees, empowering them to drive excellence for their school’s unique character while remaining united by our shared core values. For a Governance Professional, joining us means stepping into an environment where the Trust Board, CEO, Principals, and local chairs work seamlessly together to shape strategic development and ensure the success of every single child.

As an employer we are committed to equal opportunities and promoting and protecting the physical and mental health of all our staff. 

We are supportive of flexible working and welcome applications from people wishing to work a flexible working pattern.

Working in finance within a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) is a highly rewarding experience. Rather than focusing on commercial profit, our central finance team ensures that resources are effectively managed to keep our schools running smoothly. The daily work you do ensures our resources are focused exactly where they matter most: on providing the best possible education for our students.

This is an apprenticeship role, ideal for someone at the start of their accounting career who wants to earn while they learn in a vibrant, purpose-driven environment. Alongside working as a core part of Tudor Park’s central Finance team, the Finance Apprentice will study towards the AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting with a dedicated training provider. We actively support your growth by providing dedicated time set aside for study during your working hours.

Working in a uniquely dynamic school environment means this role crosses over into wider school operations, giving you a fantastic, broad foundation in business management. With full training and support from our expert team, you will support the recording, retrieval and reporting of financial transactions across the Trust.

This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required. It is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive and may be reviewed with the post holder and line manager as operationally required. As an apprentice, the post holder will be supported and trained in these duties, taking on greater responsibility as they progress.

Operations and compliance support

• Support the administration of Trust-wide service contracts, including those for catering and cleaning.
• Help maintain accurate records for site and estates management, including assisting with the management of external contractors.
• Support the central team with compliance administration, including helping to update and maintain Health & Safety logs.
• Assist with the administrative tasks required for data protection and GDPR record keeping.
• Support the general procurement process for the Trust, helping to source and order operational supplies and equipment.
• Liaise with school-based staff and premises teams to help facilitate day-to-day operational requests. 

Purchase ledger

• Help code and process purchase invoices, including inputting into the finance system with accuracy.
• Match purchase orders and service contract details to invoices.
• Help ensure purchase order and invoice authorisation processes are applied correctly.
• Support the timely payment of invoices.
• Reconcile supplier statements.
• Respond to supplier queries.

Bank and credit card management

• Help process and reconcile cash advances and accounts.
• Support the preparation of bank reconciliations.
• Help process and reconcile credit card and Soldo transactions and accounts, encouraging card holders to supply accurate and timely supporting documentation for expenditure.

Other finance duties

• Help process staff expenses claims.
• Post bank payments to the finance system.
• Help resolve finance-related queries.
• Assist in the entering of accurate VAT records.
• Provide general financial support to Finance team members and colleagues across the organisation.
• Complete the off-the-job training and coursework required to progress through the AAT Level 2 certificate in accounting apprenticeship.
• Any other duties as may be reasonably required and appropriate to an apprentice role.

Future prospects:

Permanent role in the team along with an opportunity for growth and promotions in line with performance and organisational growth.  Our last finance apprentice is now undertaking a CIPFA level 7 course in School Financial and Operational Leadership.

Training provided:

The apprenticeship training programme is delivered virtually by a fully qualified and industry-experienced training team. Using their expert knowledge, the provider has purposefully built the programme around the real-world use of modern technology, so that the skills can be directly applied in the workplace.

Throughout the apprenticeship learners receive coaching, help and guidance from a dedicated team who are there to ensure they get the most from their work experience.

Skills Required:

• A demonstrable interest in a career in accounting and school business management, and a genuine eagerness to learn.
• Good numeracy and an eye for accuracy and detail.
• Intermediate IT skills and a willingness to develop confidence in Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace applications (including Docs, Sheets, and Gmail) and in accounting software such as PS Financials and Quickbooks. 
• Good communication and listening skills.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to plan and manage your own time, including study time.
• Good analytical and problem solving abilities.
• A willingness to ask questions, take feedback on board and respond to changing priorities.

Personal Qualities:

• Positive, enthusiastic and willing to get stuck in.
• Calm and professional attitude.
• Interest in working in the public sector or education.
• A flexible and adaptable approach to day-to-day workload.
• A strong commitment to self-development and to completing the apprenticeship.

Qualifications Required:

• Maths GCSE.
• Eligible to undertake an apprenticeship in England (subject to the standard apprenticeship eligibility criteria).

Desirable (not required)

• Proficient in the use of Excel.
• Open to taking applications from people who already hold a Level 2 AAT certificate and who may wish to start at Level 3.

Closing date: 10 am on 3 August 2026. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the advert closing date. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

Applicants should read our Recruitment and Selection Policy and Safeguarding Policy before applying for any position within the Trust. All applicants who are wishing to apply for any position at our Trust, whether this be a teaching or support post, are required to complete an application form. CV applications, or prospective applications, are not accepted. 

The application form must be completed in full, including: 

• Full education and/or employment history from the age of 16, with any gaps explained 
• Contact details for two referees, one of which must be from the candidate’s most recent employer, and one of which must be from the most recent time the candidate worked with children (if applicable) 
• Statement of application outlining your experience and why you are interested in this job. 

The application form can also be downloaded from the vacancies section of the Tudor Park Education Trust websites: https://www.tudorparkeducation.org/

Please contact Penny Davies for any information you need – by telephone on 0208 831 3007 or by email at p.davies@tudorparkeducation.org

We are committed to providing a thorough induction for new staff, and will ensure that you are supported. 

Tudor Park Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to a number of pre-employment checks including ID and Right to Work in the UK, satisfactory written references and a successful Enhanced DBS check with barred list check. 

All staff, volunteers and contractors have a responsibility and duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils. Staff must be aware of the systems within the School which support safeguarding and must act in accordance with the Trust’s Safeguarding & Child Protection policy and Code of Conduct. Staff will receive appropriate child protection training which is regularly updated.

Tudor Park Education Trust values diversity, inclusion and is committed to equality of opportunity for all colleagues, pupils and other stakeholders. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.