Hull Business Training Centre had already been involved at Tweendykes School with regards to qualifications for the Teaching Assistants when they approached me about the Apprentice Scheme.  We were provided with a number of CVs from the Apprentices who were interested in working in a school environment.  The information provided from the Apprentices was of excellent quality and we were not pressurised from the Training Centre, we were given time to consider whether this was the right route for us.

There is a wide range of work in the school office from very basic tasks to tasks that involve being meticulous to detail. Work in the school office also offers a range of tasks to which full training can be given to enhance a person’s ability.  The young people, aged between 16-18 years old are keen to learn and enjoy the challenges put to them.  Hull Business Training Centre continue with the training of the Apprentices as they work through their Level 2 & 3 qualifications – their trainers visiting them in the workplace gives us all an opportunity to discuss their progress.

We interviewed 6 of the students, a mix of males and females, and found them all to be acceptable but 2 of the students stood out more. It was a difficult decision to chose between them but weare very happy with our decision in hiring Arron.  He has only been with us for a few weeks but has already covered reception duties and answered the telephone in which he is very polite and courteous to both parents and visitors.

Arron’s ICT skills are excellent and he has already produced spreadsheets when assisting with the forthcoming closedown of certain school budgets.  Arron is quick to learn and very rarely has to have the instructions repeated a second time.  Arron has proved to be trustworthy in handling cash as he deals each day with school dinner money.  He has been accepted well by teaching and support staff and is now known around school with the pupils.  Arron also has a sensitive approach when dealing with the children who all have special needs.

Arron has proved to be a good team worker as he is able to deal with work for pupil services, supervised by a member of staff, and financial work for another member of staff and is able to prioritise all the work given to him.  He has shown a good understanding of sickness recording and is able to relay information to the Leadership Team who covers staff absences, as well as the recording of the absences on the Authority’s Oracle system.

We have certainly realised that the Apprentice can be moulded to the needs of each task as they are so keen to learn and to do well.  Arron has also proved that he is not afraid of making suggestions to improve some of the tasks we do.

We have also agreed to take part in the Young Apprentice Scheme with pupils from local Secondary Schools who will work with us for one day per week for the first two months and then progressing on to two days until the end of their Scheme.

 Julie Clark, Bursar/Administration Manager at Tweendykes School in Hull