Attendance Manager

THE SCHOOL

“Hoe Valley School is an inspiring environment at the heart of its community where every student’s experience is personalised. Our students will learn to think independently, pursue their ambitions and achieve to their highest potential.”

Hoe Valley School is:

• An oversubscribed secondary school which opened in September 2015 to serve the local community of South Woking
• Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in June 2018
• Delivering innovative and exciting lessons to years 7-13
• Committed to ensuring our students leave us with excellent academic outcomes, the skills to be ‘work-ready’ and the traits of excellent global citizens
• Following the national curriculum offering an extended day allowing time for additional Maths and English along with time for all students to complete their homework during the compulsory day
• A Google School with ICT fully embedded in all curriculum areas
• Opening a STEAM focussed academic 6th Form in September 2023
• Committed to learning which is relevant with links to the ‘real world’ of business, higher education and the local community
• In a state of the art new School completed in September 2018 on Egley Road, Woking
• Committed to supporting our staff to have a good work / life balance by offering longer school holidays, bespoke CPD programmes, minimising paperwork and meetings and ultimately by trusting our staff to deliver excellent outcomes 

THE ROLE

The successful applicant will have an exciting opportunity to help shape and support the school as it grows. We are looking for a passionate, talented and rigorous practitioner to join our school who can work alongside teachers and tutors.  

The successful candidate will be part of the Personalisation Team and directly accountable to the Deputy Head Teacher. They will work very closely within the Personalisation Team, with Heads of Year and our Inclusion manager. Our new Attendance Manager will contribute to improving attendance to school, student engagement with school and work with students on a 1:1 level as well as working with their families. They will share the school's vision and the belief that all young people can achieve at high levels.

This is a full time role during term-time only (39 weeks a year). Hours of work are 40 hours a week across 5 days per week.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Supporting Student Attendance

• To be responsible for student attendance for AM and PM registration and during lessons using the appropriate software
• To manage, input and interpret all data associated with pupil attendance. Contact parents/carers about pupil absence as required
• To be responsible for taking ownership of changes to legislation and the national trends within education and specifically to attendance
• To monitor, on a daily basis, attendance targets and interpret information relating to attendance patterns, identifying key areas of concern when targets are not likely to be met, are not met, or are being superseded
• Prepare regular and ad hoc reports for the Deputy Head Teacher and Governors
• To provide early intervention and support to individuals and groups of students with attendance issues (Persistent Absentees)
• To monitor latecomers and administer sanctions/penalty notices where appropriate
• To liaise with Form Tutors and Heads of Year to ensure that all registers are completed and no missing marks or unexplained absences remain on a weekly basis
• To ensure any unexplained absences are accounted for or send letter requesting explanation
• Attend and advise at regular meetings with the Educational Welfare Officer, Family Workers and other professionals re attendance issues, ensuring accurate information is prepared for the meetings

Supporting Parents/Carers

• To work alongside key school staff to reduce levels of absence and work with students and families to promote high levels of attendance
• To work with parents and other agencies/alternative education provisions to improve their child’s attendance records, coordinating parental support and training where appropriate
• To help parents/carers with parenting skills. To give individual parenting guidance and support, with advice on how to develop and maintain positive discipline
• To listen and offer support on problems and issues and signpost parents to appropriate external agencies
• To help improve family relationships. To be available for families especially in crisis situations, helping those families who need short-term assistance
• To carry out home visits to support families/children, providing outreach support to families in line with School procedures
• To help families/children access other services, referring where appropriate

Supporting Selected Students

• To work closely with PAs (Persistent Absentees)
• To meet regularly a targeted group of students. whose attendance is below the 96% target, either 1:1 or in small groups to help improve aspiration, confidence and motivation
• To help students manage their workload and prioritise their learning where anxiety is affecting their attendance
• To monitor the attendance of vulnerable groups of students and liaise with staff/SEND department
• To provide support to students with significant emotional well-being or organisational issues
• Maintain appropriate records and case files on individual students

Supporting Behaviour and Safety

• To have a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
• To contribute to ensuring the absolute safety of all students on and off site
• To support identified students who follow alternative curriculum pathways
• To attend year group meetings as required
• To liaise with the School Education Welfare Officer to discuss students whose attendance is causing concern and make the necessary referrals.