Attendance Officer

Hours: 36 hours per week, Term time only

Orchard Hill College (the College) and Orchard Hill College Academy Trust (the Trust) together form Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust (OHC&AT), a family of specialist education providers for pupils and students from nursery to further education across London, Surrey and Sussex. As an outstanding provider and Academy sponsor, Orchard Hill College has a strong track record for making a positive impact within the local communities it serves.

Unified Academy (formerly Chart Wood School) is a special school for boys aged 9 to 16 years who have social, emotional and mental health needs. Some pupils also have moderate learning and attachment difficulties. This means that pupils struggle to form strong, healthy and sustainable relationships with others and can present with challenging behaviour. All pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Class sizes are small with no more than six pupils in each teaching group. Lessons are carefully planned and take into account the needs, interests and abilities of all pupils so that learning is more purposeful and engaging. Additional support in the classroom is provided by way of classroom assistants who work with pupils to build their confidence and self-esteem whilst also supporting their academic, social and developmental needs.  Pupils have access to Trusted Adults and Speech, Language and Communication Therapy. Additionally, the school has a full time Home School Link Worker (HSLW) who supports families in the management of behaviour, improving their child’s attendance at school and facilitating access to other Health and Social Care services.

Unified Academy adopts a therapeutic approach, allied to the nurture principles, to create a safe and supportive environment where pupils can and do achieve. Pupils follow a personalised programme of study, allied to the national curriculum, that takes into account their strengths and passions and presents their learning in a meaningful, accessible and engaging way. The school works in close partnership with families, the local community and wider stake holders to provide pupils with the holistic support they need to achieve. This approach underpins our ethos supporting each other, achieving together. 

The Attendance Officer will contribute to raising student aspirations, confidence, retention and achievements for progression to further studies or employment, and to promote full attendance.  You will work closely with staff to identify students who may require additional support or intervention with their attendance to enable them to fully participate in learning, liaising with families, the Local Authority, and working with a range of other agencies.

Areas of responsibility:

· To maintain accurate student attendance and lateness records with responsibility for the administration of student attendance within SIMS/Lesson Monitor and the daily registration of students.

· To work closely with the Home School Link Worker, Pastoral Support Team, Senior Leadership Team and outside agencies to analyse data and compile and present reports on student attendance to promote and celebrate good attendance and the raising of standards.

· To contact parents/carers of students absent from school, using phone calls and the ‘call parents’ texting system and maintain the “call parents” or equivalent system to ensure up to date and accurate contact details are retained.

· Adopt a holistic approach to meeting Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs that enable learners to make good progress by working with teachers, other support staff, families and external professionals.

· Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all students, encouraging them to interact with others and engage in activities led by teachers or other professionals.

· Record and monitor the impact of student interventions to inform future practice.

· Promote self-esteem and independence by using reflective and restorative practice for conflict resolution.

· Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.

· Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school.

· Attend and participate in relevant meetings, training and other learning activities and performance development as required.

We can offer:

- a fantastic team committed to supporting each other, pupils and families 

- the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives and outcomes of our pupils 

- the opportunity to develop skills and experience within a family of providers;

- staff and an Executive Board who are highly committed and dedicated to success;

- support and guidance from Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust.

Please apply using the application form on the TES website.

Please note that CV only applications will not be considered.

Closing Date:   12 Noon, Monday 5th July 2021 

Interviews to be held: Week Commencing: Monday 12th July 2021

Unified Academy, part of Orchard Hill College Academy Trust, are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.