Student Communication Officer

ABOUT The Worthgate School 

The Worthgate School is a coeducational independent boarding school catering mainly for international students aged 14+. The School specialises in preparing students for pre-university exams, including I/GCSEs, A Levels, the International Baccalaureate (DP) and the University Foundation Programme (UFP). The School was awarded ‘Excellent’ in all nine areas in the latest ISI inspection (March 2016). There are approximately 300 students on roll, class size average is twelve across all programmes, and students take part in an extensive range of extra-curricular activities including leadership awards and national/international competitions. The School is part of the CATS Global Schools Group (CGS).

OVERVIEW OF THE JOB

You will be a member of the team which provides the first point of contact for people who are external to the School. Your team supports students and their parents by liaising with the School departments, staff and agents, answering enquiries and helping resolve any problems. You are expected to communicate professionally, effectively and efficiently at all times within agreed turnaround times. You will contribute to the success of each student’s journey throughout their time at the School by ensuring that they have support and attention to their individual needs from the relevant School staff. This may include all aspects of how the School is presented to external visitors, working closely with the marketing team. The team also has responsibility for ensuring compliance with the UKVI regulations for international students, in conjunction with the Registrar and working with the CGS Compliance team.

REPORTS TO

You will be directly responsible to the Registrar who is part of the Senior Leadership Team.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB

The following gives a guide to the main tasks and the scope of the role. These are not exhaustive, and may vary where necessary to suit the skill set of the post holder and the needs of the School.

Communication

   Provide an effective external and internal communication channel between students, parents, agents and the School departments and staff.

   Ensure external and internal clients are provided with clear and accurate responses to their enquiries.

   Handle and resolve complaints and escalate issues to Registrar.

   Build rapport and maintain strong relationships with students and agents.

   Demonstrate excellent knowledge of the Worthgate School products and services.

Student Admissions and Support

   Co-coordinate student induction and registration events, working with other team members to ensure all students are given a good start to their time in a new country at the School. 

   Assist students in getting settled into the UK.

   Support the Reception Team with taxi transfers.

   Be available and work the weekend before term starts to manage the student registration process.

Student Retention 

   Work closely with any student who says they may not complete their course, to ensure the School successfully resolves the student’s issue and retains the student.

   Manage the enrolment process for continuing, extending and transferring students

   Issue offer letters for continuing students.

   Liaise with other CGS schools to ensure any student transfers are handled well.

UKVI & ISI Compliance and Reporting 

   Support the Registrar and in liaison with the Immigration Compliance Officer, ensure the School is compliant with the UKVI rules and regulations. 

   Ensure that all students have up-to-date contact details, immigration records and a suitable visa to legally study at the School, that all student documents are scanned and uploaded and all passport and visa information is stored electronically.

   Manage early withdrawals process, including reporting to UKVI via the SMS, gathering withdrawal reasons and evidence and uploading information is stored electronically.

   Report changes to student programmes of study or other relevant changes to the UKVI. 

   Arrange convalidation of end of term reports for all completing Brazilian and Mexican students and ensuring convalidated reports are sent to agents.

   Issue letters, certificates and other official correspondence to agents, students and parents including certificates of enrolment, visa invitation letters, discipline letters/student contacts and save them in appropriate file and upload them to be stored electronically.

   Maintain and update all student records in line with School procedures.

Administration

   Activate students’ accounts and provide them with log in details, resetting password when required. 

   Manage post-arrival service issues and liaise with central staff as appropriate. 

   Support Accommodation team with Independent Accommodation process, ensuring relevant forms are completed, saved in student file and uploaded onto the system.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The job requires that you are:

   Efficient and organised

   A skilled communicator and a relationship builder - able to work effectively with colleagues and students

   IT literate

   Smartly and professionally dressed

   Good at prioritising your time

   Able to work under pressure

   A quick learner

   Proactive, flexible, trustworthy, dependable and reliable

   Comfortable working in English

   Internationally aware and culturally sensitive

   Good team player, but also able to work autonomously

   Willing to play a part in the wider life of the School community

Please note you must be able to meet the requirements to be able to use the UKVI sponsor Management System & handle Biometric Resident Permits 

About CATS Global Schools

CATS Global Schools are a leading provider of pre-university academic courses and English language courses in the UK. We provide programmes including A Level, IB and University Foundation, as well as English Language Study, to a growing number of international students seeking to win places at UK universities.

We operate at locations in the UK, US and China, providing students from over 100 nationalities with the education they need to develop real-life skills to prepare for tomorrow’s world.

And finally

The CATS Global School Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect everyone connected