Attendance Officer

Do you have experience overseeing attendance at a school level? We are looking for an Attendance Officer to join our dedicated academy team at Harris Academy Purley . This role is likely to suit an individual looking to develop in a school environment with attendance related experience.

About Us

Harris Academy Purley is a mixed Academy for 1,300 students aged 11-18, with a large sixth form of over 300 students. Our vision is that all members of the Academy community are supported and encouraged to achieve their absolute potential.

Harris Academy Purley is part of the Harris Federation and this enables us to offer you a comprehensive induction programme and training and development opportunities to support your career development including Masters and other qualifications.

Harris Academy Purley is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure by the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Services).

For a confidential discussion with the Principal or for further information please contact Tim Allman t.allman@harrispurley.org.uk

Main Areas of Responsibility

Your role will be:

• Assisting ALG in the Management and Development of attendance and punctuality policies;
• Daily monitoring and follow-up of attendance and punctuality;
• To participate on late desk and follow up detentions to be issued for those students late to the Academy;
• To text parents/carers of students absent at agreed time and record reasons for absence if given;
• Daily monitoring and early calls on the attendance of children in care or students on the vulnerable list as a priority, reporting to the Academy Welfare manager daily;
• Making home visits with the Academy welfare manager as required;
• Sending letters to parents regarding attendance matters as requested by the Academy Welfare Manager
• Ensuring the smooth operation of the computerised registration system;
• Ensuring daily attendance information is entered accurately onto the system;
• Establishing the reason for absences including telephone calls, letters and home visits, in liaison with the tutors and other staff;
• Preparing and distributing attendance and punctuality certificates as part of the Academy's reward policy;
• Following up on poor attendance or punctuality. Organising attendance panel meetings with parent's/carers tutors and external agencies, making home visits, ensuring student contracts are agreed and monitored;
• Signing students in and out of the Academy outside normal start and finish times, ensuring communication with home where required;
• Liaising with the Educational Welfare Officer to ensure that prompt, consistent and rigorous intervention with poor attendance is robust;
• To monitor student attendance together with students' progress and performance in relation to targets set for each individual ensuring that follow-up procedures are adhered to and that appropriate action is taken where necessary;
• To deal efficiently and effectively with referrals on attendance concerns from faculties;
• To alert the appropriate staff to problems experienced by students and to make recommendations as to how these may be resolved;
• To communicate as appropriate, with the parents of students and with persons or bodies outside the Academy concerned with the welfare of individual students, after consultation with the appropriate staff;
• To attend all appropriate meetings and organise fortnightly meetings with Faculty Directors to review faculty attendance figures and action taken;
• As LAC mentor to meet with LAC students weekly and pass on any relevant information regarding their welfare.
• To maintain a tidy, organised and professional working environment at all times.
• To ensure the academy health and safety policies and practices, including risk assessments, throughout the department are in line with national requirements and are updated where necessary.
• Referring cases where appropriate to the named person with responsibility for child protection.
• To be responsible for own professional development, identifying training needs and requesting courses as appropriate.
• To offer medical attention to students, maintaining the medical and accident book. To contact the emergency services as required.
• To engage actively in the performance review process, addressing appraisal targets set by the line manager each autumn term.
• To promote equal opportunities and celebrate diversity in all aspects of the academy.
• To play a full part in the life of the Academy community, to support its distinctive aim and ethos and to encourage staff and students to follow this example.
• To promote actively the Academy's corporate policies.
• To comply with the Academy's Health and Safety policy and undertake risk assessments as appropriate.

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Qualifications to degree standard or equivalent
• Sound Knowledge of Microsoft software
• Knowledge of CMIS system for input and export of student attendance data
• Training on CMIS system in relation to attendance and report generation
• Knowledge of attendance policies and procedures
• Knowledge of the range of agencies that work with students and their families
• Basic knowledge of first aid; e.g. emergency first aid course
• Knowledge of a range of attendance codes and when they can be used
• Knowledge of many of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds
• 3 years' experience of working in an inner-city school or educational establishment
• Experience of working with Academy welfare officer
• Experience of meeting with parents/carers formally and informally
• Experience of managing attendance systems, this to include completing weekly, half termly and annual reports as requested in liaison with Assistant Principal
• Experience in a similar role
• Experience of working with young people
• Experience of working with young people with challenging behaviour

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level to senior leadership.

We look for talented individuals who share our vision for creating exceptional places of learning, and are committed to ensuring that every child in London has access to the best possible education.

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, electric car scheme, 26 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) for non term-time only employees, and many other benefits.