Head of Payroll Review
at Department for Education
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Human Resources
Coventry
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4.5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
As Head of the Payroll Department my role involves a variety of tasks including the need to be flexible. Evaluating who requires the highest priority of myself and the team is a daily occurance.
My day to day involves reviewing where the team are within the payroll processing, checking and mapping what is next on the agenda to ensure a successful pay run whilst also dealing with complex case work and projects.
My day to day involves reviewing where the team are within the payroll processing, checking and mapping what is next on the agenda to ensure a successful pay run whilst also dealing with complex case work and projects.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoyed being able to spend time with a professional in my area on my apprenticeship and have very detailed discussions regarding the technical details of my role. My tutors were incredibly friendly and enabled a safe space to ask questions and learn which made each session very enjoyable to attend and that helped ensure my progress through the apprenticeship.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learnt and developed a lot of skills through my apprenticeship.
It has helped me to personally become more organised and review the value on all of the tasks I complete (where I may not have valued them previously). It has also enabled me to improve my technical skills and knowledge in regards to payroll which I can now use in my day to day tasks.
My apprenticeship has helped me with how I approach projects and also how I approach my team due to the management skills learnt from the courses.
It has helped me to personally become more organised and review the value on all of the tasks I complete (where I may not have valued them previously). It has also enabled me to improve my technical skills and knowledge in regards to payroll which I can now use in my day to day tasks.
My apprenticeship has helped me with how I approach projects and also how I approach my team due to the management skills learnt from the courses.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The program was well organised and structed with a lot of support from the apprenticeship teams. The apprenticeship consisted of attending one on one sessions (or group sessions if this was more comfortable) with the tutor before being set a 'task' based on the technical knowledge learnt from the session.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My employer was incredibly supportive with the apprenticeship. They ensured to protect my allocated 'study time' required for my apprenticeship and allowed for further apprenticeship time when this was required (especially on more complicated tasks).
My employer also has a support network with an apprenticeship team with regular meetings allowing me to meet other apprentices across the employer which was nice and a safe space to learn networking skills.
My employer also has a support network with an apprenticeship team with regular meetings allowing me to meet other apprentices across the employer which was nice and a safe space to learn networking skills.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
The training provider was very supportive whilst I worked towards my qualifications. Due to learning disabilities I encountered times where I struggled - particularly with some of the tasks however they were able to adapt how they taught me and adapt my tasks to my strengths. The tutors provided great feedback after each session and task which helped me to improve which I have been able to take away and use in my day to day role.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The technical knowledge gained from my apprenticeship has enabled me to ensure I am fully compliant in my tasks and have the knowledge and confidence to challenge processes and work on improvements where required. It has also helped to boost my confidence in myself as a professional which has lead to the confidence also coming through in how I perform my role.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
Yes there are lots of activities and a variety of groups to connect with both socially and professionally
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Department for Education to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I have really enjoyed my apprenticeship and feel that the Department for Education has been incredibly supportive and a large reason why I have enjoyed completing my apprenticeship
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Department for Education?
NA
