Exams and Data Officer

Portland Place School is looking for a highly skilled  Exams and Data Officer starting as soon as possible.

Part of the Alpha Plus family of schools, Portland Place School offers rigorous and tailored career professional development to meet the needs of staff progression, a diverse and experienced group of teachers who share their pedagogical practice and first class teaching & learning and pastoral care for students. Portland Place School is undergoing a transformation in our approach to learning.  Our aim is to provide a real-life education where children are adaptable, empathic and prepared for 21st Century careers. 

We were founded with a particular purpose in mind: to be an alternative to the intense, large, examination focused independent day schools of which there are many in London.

Aim of the post

To oversee all examinations processes and develop related systems and processes, to ensure school compliance with examination regulations, procedures and access arrangements.

To facilitate the management of the use of data within the school through the effective use and administration of SIMS, along with other systems as necessary.

The post holder will be part of the school’s administrative team and as such is expected to help with the running of school events (Open Days, Assemblies, etc.) where such would not impact on performing the main duties of this role. This role will be Term Time only plus 5 weeks.

Areas of Responsibility

External and internal examination entries

To oversee accurate, complete and timely entries.

To oversee the production of schedules, including staffing and rooming and to ensure that this information is disseminated clearly to the staff body.

To assist in the arrangement of MidYIS/YELLIS/LUCID/GL testing.

Access Arrangements

To work with SENDCo and drive meetings to ensure completion of all access arrangements.

To work with the SENDCo to maintain all official SEND access arrangement records in line with the regulations of the awarding bodies.

Running of public examinations

To ensure the smooth running of all public examinations in accordance with the regulations of the awarding bodies.

To draw up the examination and invigilation timetable and to resolve clashes.

To manage the work and responsibilities of all teaching, administrative and agency staff involved in the examinations.

To brief and train invigilators.

To be responsible for the checking, sorting and secure storage of materials.

To be responsible for processing and collection of results and certificates.

To facilitate inspections during the examinations period.

Budgeting

To be responsible for working within the examinations budget, which consists of entries, training and invigilation staff.

To notify the Finance and Operations Manager of any required variations in the budget for financial planning.

To lead the usage of SIMS in the school

Primarily responsible for the development of SIMS throughout the school.

Liaise with IT Technicians and APG IT as necessary to ensure a stable SIMS platform is running.

Report to SLT on investments needed for future developments.

Remain up to date on Capita developments of SIMS capabilities.

Work with SLT to identify and develop new uses of SIMS in providing useful data for sections of the school community.

Train and advise staff in the use of SIMS for registration, mark sheets and accessing information.

Extend and embed good practice in the use of SIMS throughout the school

With the Deputy Head design and generate suitable mark sheets and monitoring reports, which should, as a minimum, include MidYIS/ALPS data and predicted grades, all half-term grade reports and results of significant whole-cohort assessments.

Design and generate other SIMS reports as required. This could include, but not be limited to; calendar reports for specific types of event (e.g. musical performances); medical reports; cover loading reports; pastoral reports for form tutors and Heads of Year; similar specialized reports for which a need is identified.

To manage data in SIMS

Oversee the input of accurate data within SIMS regarding all staff and student details.

Work with the Admissions Registrar as required to ensure new student data is promptly and accurately included in the system.

Manage and maintain data accessible to parents through Firefly (specifics to be agreed by SLT).

Working with SENCo, ensure relevant SEN information is recorded in SIMS, available to staff, identified on mark sheets, and linked to appropriate ILP.

Ensure MidYIS/ALPS predictions are entered into all staff mark sheets for relevant students. Produce Individual Student Profiles for Years 7 and 12 for use by relevant Heads of Year.

To facilitate other aspects of school business

Manage, with the Deputy Head, the production of reports.

Manage results access procedures.

To support all SIMS users with their data entry and housekeeping tasks.

Safeguarding

Portland Place School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The protection of our students’ welfare is the responsibility of all Portland Place School staff and individuals are expected to conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of our organisation.

The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced disclosure via the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and will have DBS clearance. This check will be carried out alongside other relevant pre-employment checks. References will be taken up and carefully checked.

Please click the link below for further information on employing Ex-Offenders: Policy on employment of ex-offenders.pdf (alphaplusgroup.co.uk)

Equal Opportunities

Portland Place School wholeheartedly supports the principle of equal opportunities in employment; and actively opposes all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief, age or disability.

Application Deadline: 11th February 2022

Please note that interviews may be held at any stage after applications are received, so candidates are advised to apply as soon as possible. The vacancy may be closed earlier than the specified deadline if the right candidate is found.