Attendance Officer

Summary:

Attendance Officer role with a focus on school attendance management and support.

About the School:

A school located in Cheshire serves a diverse community and is committed to providing a high-quality education. It is known for its strong staff retention, supportive environment, and excellent facilities.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking an experienced Attendance Officer to play a key role in ensuring consistent student attendance and supporting the school’s commitment to academic success. This position involves managing attendance data, coordinating with staff, and implementing effective interventions to improve student punctuality and engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Liaise with staff absence colleague and complete the DFE attendance form
• Investigate unexplained absences and contact home for necessary pupils
• Create attendance reports including data for whole school, year groups and key cohorts
• Hold an attendance meeting with each Pastoral Support Manager and update spreadsheet with agreed courses of action and interventions
• Update medical evidence list and first call list following PSM meetings
• Respond to holiday requests as per Headteacher’s decision
• Send holiday Fixed Penalty Notice requests to FPN team at CWAC
• Investigate absences which may be due to unauthorised holiday and send out letter
• Send late letters as agreed with PSMs
• Send attendance letters as agreed with PSMs (Students with 95% and 90% attendance)
• Send medical evidence request letters as agreed with PSMs
• Arrange attendance panels as agreed with PSM (book room/create Zoom, send invite to parents)
• Complete Attendance Panel Action Plan following the panel and distribute to parents and PSM, add to SIMS
• Arrange Attendance Review Meetings following the initial Attendance Panel and identify whether an improvement has been made alongside PSM
• Create and send out Parenting Contracts in cases of low attendance due to lack of parental engagement
• Refer to Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) for FPN Monitoring Period on agreement with PSM/HOY
• Refer the case to the EWO to proceed with the issue of an FPN, complete checklists and provide official register
• Refer to LA for Prosecution or Education Supervision Order with SLT agreement
• Arrange and attend Attendance Planning Meetings (Chaired by SLT) as a final meeting before court proceedings
• Liaise with EWO and prepare witness statement for use in court proceedings
• Attend CWAC Attendance Briefings and share best practice with other local schools
• Liaise with primary schools to prepare Year 6 pupils for attendance expectations in Year 7
• Complete an annual register inspection with the EWO to ensure all registers are being kept accurately
• Scan all correspondence to SIMS as evidence

Qualifications & Skills:

Required

• Proven experience in a similar attendance or administrative role
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage data accurately
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Experience with school management systems and data reporting tools

Preferred

• Experience with SIMS or similar school management software
• Knowledge of attendance policies and procedures in schools
• Experience in managing and supporting students with attendance issues
• Experience in liaising with external agencies such as Educational Welfare Officers
• Experience in preparing and presenting reports to senior leadership

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Full health, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous holiday allowance
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• Supportive and collaborative working environment