Attendance Officer

A tenacious and organized Attendance Officer is required for an immediate start at a premier secondary school in Reading. This is a full-time, permanent opportunity for a professional who is passionate about student welfare and understands the critical link between high attendance and academic achievement. The school is seeking a candidate with a firm yet empathetic approach, capable of maintaining rigorous tracking systems while building positive relationships with students and their families to overcome barriers to learning. The Role • Monitoring & Tracking: Oversight of daily attendance and punctuality for all students, identifying patterns of absence and implementing early intervention strategies. • Home-School Liaison: Acting as the primary point of contact for parents regarding attendance, conducting home visits where necessary, and leading meetings to address persistent absence. • Data Analysis: Utilizing school management systems (e.g., SIMS, Bromcom, or Arbor) to produce detailed attendance reports for the Senior Leadership Team and external agencies. • Compliance: Ensuring the school’s attendance policy adheres to the latest Department for Education (DfE) guidelines and legal requirements, including the management of fixed penalty notices. • Safeguarding: Working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and the pastoral team to ensure that students "missing in education" are identified and supported immediately. • Administration: Managing all attendance-related correspondence, including letters to parents, registers for off-site trips, and medical evidence tracking. The Ideal Candidate Will Have • Experience: Previous experience as an Attendance Officer, Education Welfare Officer, or within a senior pastoral/administrative role in a school. • Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to handle sensitive and challenging conversations with parents and caregivers. • Technical Skill: Advanced proficiency in school data management software and Microsoft Excel for tracking and reporting purposes. • Resilience: A proactive, professional, and persistent approach to improving attendance figures in a high-energy environment. • Knowledge: A thorough understanding of the legal frameworks surrounding school attendance and safeguarding. • Integrity: The ability to handle confidential information with absolute discretion. School Information This premier secondary school in Reading is renowned for its academic excellence and its robust pastoral care system. The school offers a highly professional working environment where non-teaching staff are integrated into the wider school community and supported in their professional development. The successful candidate will join a dedicated and friendly support team and benefit from a leadership team that values data-driven outcomes and student wellbeing. Position Details • Start Date: ASAP • Contract: Full-time, Permanent • Location: Reading (West Berkshire) • Salary: Competitive (Commensurate with experience) Application To apply for this Attendance Officer position in Reading, please submit your CV for consideration. We are looking to interview as soon as possible, so early applications are strongly encouraged.