Attendance Officer Vacancy - Primary School in Barking

Attendance Officer | Primary School in Barking

Job Title: Attendance Officer
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Location: Barking, East London
Start Date: ASAP

The Opportunity

A welcoming primary school in Barking is seeking a dedicated, organised and compassionate Attendance Officer to support pupils and families and help ensure every child has the opportunity to attend school regularly and achieve their potential.

The successful candidate will play an important role in monitoring attendance and punctuality, maintaining accurate records and working closely with pupils, parents, teachers and senior leaders to identify and address attendance concerns.

The role would suit someone who combines excellent administrative skills with a calm, approachable and professional manner and who is committed to improving outcomes for children and families.

The Role

The Attendance Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day monitoring and administration of pupil attendance and punctuality across the school.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Monitoring daily pupil attendance and following up unexplained and persistent absences.

• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date attendance records on the school's information management system.

• Contacting parents and carers regarding absence, lateness and attendance concerns.

• Identifying patterns of absence and punctuality and bringing concerns to the attention of senior leaders.

• Working closely with teachers, pastoral staff and school leaders to improve pupil attendance.

• Supporting attendance interventions and agreed action plans.

• Preparing attendance reports, statistics and information for senior leaders and relevant meetings.

• Maintaining accurate records of communications, interventions and actions relating to attendance.

• Supporting the organisation of meetings with parents, carers and external agencies where appropriate.

• Building positive and professional relationships with families while dealing sensitively with complex circumstances.

• Supporting the school in meeting its attendance, safeguarding and statutory responsibilities.

• Ensuring attendance procedures are followed consistently and in accordance with school policies.

Administration & Record Keeping

The successful candidate will ensure that attendance information is accurate, current and managed confidentially.

Responsibilities will include:

• Maintaining accurate attendance and punctuality records.

• Recording and monitoring reasons for absence and follow-up actions.

• Producing attendance data and reports as required.

• Keeping detailed records of communication with parents, carers and external professionals.

• Monitoring attendance trends and identifying pupils who may require additional support.

• Ensuring relevant information is recorded accurately and securely.

• Supporting senior staff with attendance-related documentation and correspondence.

Working With Families

The Attendance Officer will play an important role in developing positive relationships with parents and carers and supporting families to overcome barriers to regular school attendance.

The successful candidate will:

• Communicate with parents and carers in a supportive, professional and solution-focused manner.

• Discuss attendance concerns sensitively while clearly communicating school expectations.

• Identify potential barriers to attendance and refer concerns to appropriate staff or agencies.

• Support agreed attendance improvement plans and interventions.

• Work collaboratively with families, teachers, pastoral staff and external professionals.

• Maintain appropriate confidentiality when dealing with sensitive family circumstances.

Safeguarding & Pupil Welfare

The Attendance Officer will be expected to maintain a strong commitment to safeguarding and pupil welfare at all times.

The successful candidate will:

• Follow the school's safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures.

• Recognise and appropriately escalate concerns relating to attendance, welfare or child protection.

• Understand that persistent or unexplained absence may indicate wider safeguarding concerns.

• Maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive pupil and family information.

• Work closely with designated safeguarding staff and senior leaders where concerns arise.

• Promote the wellbeing, safety and educational engagement of every pupil.

The Ideal Candidate

The school is looking for someone who is organised, reliable and genuinely committed to improving attendance and supporting children and families.

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Previous experience in a school, education, administrative, attendance or pastoral role.

• Strong administrative and record-keeping skills.

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.

• Confidence using Microsoft Office and school information management systems.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• The ability to communicate sensitively and professionally with parents and carers.

• Confidence managing challenging or difficult conversations when required.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.

• A calm, patient and approachable manner.

• The ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a wider school team.

• A strong understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries.

• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience working as an Attendance Officer or in a similar school-based role.

• Experience using Arbor, SIMS or another school management information system.

• Knowledge of school attendance procedures and relevant statutory requirements.

• Experience working with families where there are barriers to regular attendance.

• Experience working with pastoral, safeguarding or family support teams.

• Experience liaising with external agencies or professionals.

Working Environment

The Attendance Officer will be based within the school office and will work closely with pupils, parents, carers, teachers, pastoral staff, senior leaders and external professionals.

The role involves managing sensitive information and responding to a wide range of attendance and family circumstances. The successful candidate will need to remain calm, professional and solution-focused while managing competing priorities in a busy school environment.

What the School Offers

The successful candidate will become part of a supportive primary school community committed to improving attendance, wellbeing and outcomes for every child.

The school offers:

• A friendly and supportive working environment.

• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to pupils and families.

• Close collaboration with teachers, pastoral staff and senior leaders.

• Opportunities for professional development.

• A varied role with genuine responsibility and impact.

• A school culture focused on inclusion, wellbeing and positive outcomes for children.

Safeguarding

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.

The successful applicant will be required to complete appropriate pre-employment safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check, and provide satisfactory references. All staff are expected to comply fully with the school's safeguarding, child protection, confidentiality, health and safety and data protection policies.

How to Apply

This is an excellent opportunity for an organised and compassionate individual to play a key role in improving attendance and supporting pupils and families within a welcoming primary school in Barking.

If you are passionate about helping children attend school regularly and reach their full potential, applicants are invited to submit their CV for consideration.