Attendance Officer Role Reports To: Assistant Headteacher (Attendance)
Salary/Grade: Support Staff Scale, D1. Actual salary £23,852 based on FTE £27,779
Hours: Full‑Time, Permanent. Monday–Thursday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Friday 8:00 am to 3:30 pm (Term Time Only + 1 Week)
Bridgemary School is seeking a resilient, empathetic, and driven individual to join our pastoral support team as an Attendance Officer. In this critical role, you will monitor, analyze, and challenge student absence, working proactively with students, parents, and external agencies to identify barriers to school attendance and establish effective interventions. The role demands a hands‑on approach, including conducting regular home visits to engage directly with hard‑to‑reach families and support students back into the classroom.
Key Responsibilities
* Monitor and analyze attendance data using the school’s MIS, identifying trends and students at risk of persistent or severe absence; produce weekly and termly reports for the Senior Leadership Team and Heads of Year.
* Contact parents/carers on the first day of unexplained absence and conduct both planned and unannounced home visits to determine reasons for absence, provide school work, offer face‑to‑face support, or complete safe and well checks.
* Design attendance action plans in partnership with families at school meetings.
* Collaborate with Heads of Year, SENDCo, safeguarding team, and external agencies such as the Local Authority Attendance Service, Social Care, and Health professionals; prepare documentation for legal interventions including fixed penalty notices and court prosecutions.
* Manage late‑gate procedures, implement sanctions or interventions, and coordinate school‑wide attendance rewards and initiatives to celebrate success; keep updated with statutory DfE guidance.
Person Specification
* Qualifications: A good standard of education (GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or equivalent).
* Experience: Experience working with children, young people, or families in a supportive or challenging capacity; previous role as an Attendance Officer within a secondary school setting preferred.
* Skills & Knowledge: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to remain calm, firm, and empathetic under pressure; strong IT proficiency (Word, Excel) and capacity to manage a varied, independent workload.
* Personal Qualities: High resilience, a “thick skin,” and a non‑judgmental, problem‑solving attitude towards families in crisis.
* Full, clean UK driving license and access to a vehicle for daily home visits.
* Professional qualification in youth work, social work, or education.
* Knowledge of school attendance legislation, safeguarding procedures, and experience using school systems such as SIMS or Arbor.
* A deep commitment to improving the life chances of young people.
What We Can Offer You
* Excellent ongoing CPD, training programmes, and broad career development opportunities across the trust.
* Coaching and mentoring from the academy’s experienced leadership team; a comprehensive induction programme.
* A friendly, supportive environment that prioritises work‑life balance.
* Employee benefits including a Cycle to Work scheme, free eye tests, and an Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential support on mental, physical, and financial health.
About TKAT
Bridgemary School is part of The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT), one of the largest multi‑academy trusts in the South & East of England. Our shared purpose is to provide a high‑quality education for every child, regardless of background, through collaboration and shared expertise.
Safeguarding
TKAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Employment offers are subject to the full safer recruitment process, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.
Equal, Inclusive, Diverse
TKAT is committed to inclusion, diversity, and equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from all suitable candidates, regardless of any protected characteristic.
Access to Interview
If you are selected for an interview, let us know if you require any adjustments to the recruitment process so you can participate in a way that feels authentic to you.
#J-18808-Ljbffr