Attendance Officer

Do you have experience overseeing attendance at a school level? We are looking for an Attendance Officer to join our dedicated academy team at Harris Academy Morden. This role is likely to suit an individual looking to develop in a school environment withattendance related experience.

**About Us**

At Harris Academy Morden we pride ourselves on the inclusive approach and caring environment we have developed. _Ofsted 2018 'A very strong sense of community is evident throughout the school’._

Staff well-being is at the heart of our academy. We have a sensible marking policy, organised marking sessions to give staff time to mark and a two week October half term holiday

Ofsted 2018 'There is a low turnover of staff and their morale is high’

The Academy is traditional in our approach to discipline and has very high expectations for student behaviour. _Ofsted 2018 'The behaviour of pupils is outstanding’_

Year 11 GCSE results consistently place the Academy in the highest percentile in the country. _Ofsted 'Pupils achieve exceptional outcomes in public examinations. Current pupils are making outstanding progress’._

Harris Academy Morden is located favourably for public transport with good local access to bus, tram and train links to mainline rail and the underground network

**Main Areas of Responsibility**

Your responsibilities will include:

- Assisting ALG in the Management and Development of attendance and punctuality policies;
- Daily monitoring and follow-up of attendance and punctuality;
- To participate on late desk and follow up detentions to be issued for those students late to the Academy;
- To text parents/carers of students absent at agreed time and record reasons for absence if given;
- Daily monitoring and early calls on the attendance of children in care or students on the vulnerable list as a priority, reporting to the Academy Welfare manager daily;
- Making home visits with the Academy welfare manager as required;
- Sending letters to parents regarding attendance matters as requested by the Academy Welfare Manager
- Ensuring the smooth operation of the computerised registration system;
- Ensuring daily attendance information is entered accurately onto the system;
- Establishing the reason for absences including telephone calls, letters and home visits, in liaison with the tutors and other staff;
- Preparing and distributing attendance and punctuality certificates as part of the Academy's reward policy;
- Following up on poor attendance or punctuality. Organising attendance panel meetings with parent’s/carers tutors and external agencies, making home visits, ensuring student contracts are agreed and monitored;
- Signing students in and out of the Academy outside normal start and finish times, ensuring communication with home where required;
- Liaising with the Educational Welfare Officer to ensure that prompt, consistent and rigorous intervention with poor attendance is robust;
- To monitor student attendance together with students’ progress and performance in relation to targets set for each individual ensuring that follow-up procedures are adhered to and that appropriate action is taken where necessary;
- To deal efficiently and effectively with referrals on attendance concerns from faculties;
- To alert the appropriate staff to problems experienced by students and to make recommendations as to how these may be resolved;
- To communicate as appropriate, with the parents of students and with persons or bodies outside the Academy concerned with the welfare of individual students, after consultation with the appropriate staff;
- To attend all appropriate meetings and organise fortnightly meetings with Faculty Directors to review faculty attendance figures and action taken;
- As LAC mentor to meet with LAC students weekly and pass on any relevant information regarding their welfare.
- To maintain a tidy, organised and professional working environment at all times.
- To ensure the academy health and safety policies and practices, including risk assessments, throughout the department are in line with national requirements and are updated where necessary.
- Referring cases where appropriate to the named person with responsibility for child protection.
- To be responsible for own professional development, identifying training needs and requesting courses as appropriate.
- To offer medical attention to students, maintaining the medical and accident book. To contact the emergency services as required.

**Qualifications & Experience**
- Educated to degree standard or equivalent
- Sound Knowledge of Microsoft software
- Knowledge of CMIS system for input and export of student attendance data
- Training on CMIS system in relation to attendance and report generation
- Knowledge of attendance policies and procedures
- Knowledge of the range of agencies that work with students and their families
- Basic knowledge of first aid; e.g. emergency first aid course
- Knowledge of a range of attendance codes and when they can be used
- Knowledge of many of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds
- 3 years’ experience of working in an inner-city school or educational establishment
- Experience of working with Academy welfare officer
- Experience of meeting with parents/carers formally and informally
- Experience of managing attendance systems, this to include completing weekly, half termly and annual reports as requested in liaison with Assistant Principal
- Experience in a similar role
- Experience of working with young people
- Experience of working with young people with challenging behaviour

**Safeguarding Notice