Attendance Officer (Whole School)

Attendance Officer

32.5 hours per week, Mon to Fri 8.40am to 3.40pm  (some potential for flexibility of more or less than 32.5hrs, to suit the right candidate)

190 days per academic year ie: term time + some inset days

AGS pay scale range E.15 to E.17. Actual Pro Rata Salary of £20, 467 to £21, 179 p.a.

Start July or September 2024 

We are looking to appoint an Attendance Officer to work across the whole school with colleagues in the pastoral hubs.

Responsibilities include:

To monitor and report on whole-school attendance data, analysing data to identify key areas of concern. To work closely with pupils, staff, parents and carers to reduce levels of absence, and act appropriately when persistent absence becomes a safeguarding issue.

Administration

• Work with colleagues in the pastoral hubs to ensure that both daily and lesson attendance registers across Years 7 – 13 are accurate and complete, and follow up with staff members about any incomplete data  
• Work with colleagues in the pastoral hubs to follow up on any unexplained absences with parents/carers, escalating issues as appropriate in line with school procedures 
• Initiate and oversee the administration of absence procedures, for example letters home, attendance clinics and engagement with local authorities/other external agencies and partners 
• Manage attendance returns for the school census
• Manage the process of issuing penalty notices to parents 
• Maintain accurate records of communications with parents/carers and relevant interventions 
• Build and refresh knowledge of the school’s MIS (SIMs) and other relevant systems 

Working with parents/carers

• Coordinate meetings with pupils and parents/carers to implement interventions and track progress – particularly focusing on those with attendance between 80 and 95%.
• Build positive relations with parents/carers to encourage family involvement in their child’s attendance
• Identify, and where possible, mitigate potential barriers to attendance in partnership with families  
• Carry out home visits, where necessary, to address attendance concerns for individual pupils 

Monitoring and reporting

• Produce and interpret attendance reports for school leaders, identifying key statistics, reasons for absence and any patterns of concern  
• Track attendance of vulnerable groups of pupils and share information with school leaders
• Identify pupils that need additional support to improve their attendance 
• Work with school leaders to identify appropriate interventions to improve attendance for particular groups or individual pupils
• Lead daily or weekly check-ins to review progress and the impact of support/interventions 
• Meet fortnightly with the Designated Senior Leader for Attendance and Deputy Pastoral Lead (EBSA Specialist)
• Work with school leaders to develop and revise the school’s attendance policy 
• Implement children missing education (CME) procedures when appropriate 
• Provide regular reports to attendance organisations to raise awareness of emerging at-risk pupils 

Professional development

• Take opportunities to build the appropriate skills, qualifications, and/or experience needed for the role, with support from the school 
• Take part in the school’s appraisal procedures

Safeguarding

• Work in line with statutory safeguarding guidance (e.g. Keeping Children Safe in Education, Prevent) and our safeguarding and child protection policies 
• Be alert to when persistent absence becomes a safeguarding concern and early help may be required
• Work with the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) to promote the best interests of pupils, including sharing concerns where necessary
• Promote the safeguarding of all pupils in the school

Qualification Criteria

• GCSE Maths and English (Grade C) or equivalent

Experience

• Experience working in a school environment or other educational setting
• Experience identifying interventions to raise attendance of pupils 
• Experience working directly with pupils,  parents 
• Experience working collaboratively with colleagues 
• Experience analysing data and producing reports and identifying key insights
• Experience of using SIMS is desirable 

This is a rare opportunity to join a unique and happy school, where you can indulge your creativity, refine your skills, and enjoy an atmosphere that respects your professional autonomy. With delightful students, supportive parents, and happy colleagues, it is a great place to work. 

Please take a look at the recruitment pack below for more information.

Closing date:  3rd June 2024, 9.00 am

Interview date: Week Commencing 10th June, 2024

We reserve the right to interview for this vacancy early if a suitable candidate applies for the role.  Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.