CORE PURPOSE

We require an organized, proactive Attendance Officer to oversee and drive student attendance and punctuality across the school. The role involves managing daily attendance tracking, identifying patterns of absence, conducting home visits where required, and working collaboratively with families, pastoral staff, and external agencies to ensure high levels of attendance and reduce persistent absence.

THE SCHOOL

An 11–16 secondary school located in Walsall, West Midlands. The school operates with a centralized behaviour and pastoral support system managed by the senior leadership team to maintain a structured and supportive environment. The administrative and pastoral teams work closely together, utilizing streamlined management information systems (MIS) and established communication channels to keep staff workloads manageable. Clear protocols are in place for attendance interventions, ensuring home contacts and escalation procedures are handled efficiently.

KEY TASKS & DAILY OPERATIONS

• Daily Attendance Tracking: Monitor and process morning and afternoon attendance registers, ensuring accurate coding and following up on unexplained absences with daily home contact.

• Data Analysis & Reporting: Produce regular attendance reports for senior leadership, identifying attendance trends, persistent absence concerns, and students requiring targeted intervention.

• Family & Student Engagement: Meet with students and parents to discuss attendance barriers, implement attendance improvement plans, and conduct home visits when necessary.

• Multi-Agency Liaison: Work closely with the school's Pastoral Team, Education Welfare Officers (EWO), and local authority services to manage formal attendance procedures and legal escalations.

• Punctuality Management: Monitor daily arrival times, implement punctuality interventions, and coordinate with year group leads to support pupils arriving on time.

PROFILE REQUIREMENTS

• Qualifications: Strong literacy and numeracy skills (GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent in English and Mathematics). A relevant qualification in administration or pastoral care is desirable.

• Experience: Proven experience in an administrative, attendance, or student support role, ideally within a school, educational setting, or local authority framework.

• Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strong computer literacy (experience with school MIS software like SIMS or Arbor is advantageous), and a firm yet empathetic approach when dealing with families.

REGIONAL CONTEXT

• Local Area & Community: Based in the large market town of Walsall, the school serves a proud and diverse Black Country community. The area combines a rich industrial heritage, expansive green spaces like Walsall Arboretum, vibrant local markets, and a supportive network of families.

• Transport & Commuting: The school benefits from excellent regional transport links, located close to the M6 motorway (Junctions 9 and 10) and the A2010/A454 corridors. Public transit networks operate continuously via comprehensive local bus services, while Walsall Railway Station provides direct, frequent rail connections to Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton, and the wider West Midlands.

APPLICATION INTAKE

Please submit your current CV to begin the application process.