Our client is seeking a motivated, organised and approachable School Attendance Officer to join the administrative team at a secondary school in St Albans, Hertfordshire. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong administration and communication skills who understands the importance of regular school attendance and enjoys working with pupils, parents and teaching staff to support positive educational outcomes.

The successful candidate will help monitor attendance, maintain accurate records and follow up on unexplained absences. Previous experience in a school environment would be highly advantageous, particularly for applicants familiar with school attendance procedures, pupil management information systems and safeguarding expectations.

Position Highlights

• School-based attendance and administration role.

• Opportunity to support pupil engagement and consistent school attendance.

• Responsibilities involving attendance monitoring, record keeping and parent communication.

• Ideal for a candidate with school administration or attendance experience.

Role Overview

As Attendance Officer, you will support the school in monitoring pupil attendance and identifying patterns that may require further investigation. You will work with parents and carers to obtain explanations for absences, update attendance records and ensure concerns are passed to the appropriate members of staff.

The role requires tact, persistence and professionalism. You will regularly handle sensitive information and may need to communicate with families experiencing difficulties that affect a pupil's attendance. An understanding of safeguarding procedures and the importance of accurate documentation is therefore essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor daily pupil attendance and identify unexplained or repeated absences.

• Contact parents and carers to establish reasons for absence and request relevant information.

• Maintain accurate attendance records using the school's management information system.

• Follow up on persistent lateness, recurring absence and emerging attendance patterns.

• Prepare attendance reports for school leaders, pastoral staff and other authorised colleagues.

• Support attendance meetings by arranging appointments and preparing relevant documentation.

• Work with form tutors, heads of year and pastoral teams to address attendance concerns.

• Record communication with families clearly and maintain confidential case notes.

• Follow school attendance policies and applicable statutory guidance.

• Refer safeguarding or welfare concerns to the designated safeguarding lead or relevant member of staff.

• Assist with letters, notices and other communications relating to attendance.

• Support initiatives designed to improve attendance and encourage punctuality.

• Ensure attendance data is updated accurately and information is shared only with authorised individuals.

About the School

The school is committed to helping pupils access learning consistently and receive appropriate support when attendance difficulties arise. The Attendance Officer will work closely with administrative, pastoral and safeguarding colleagues to identify concerns early and help families engage with the school.

Experience and Skills

• Previous school administration, attendance monitoring or pastoral administration experience is highly desirable.

• Experience using school systems such as SIMS, Arbor or similar MIS platforms would be advantageous.

• Strong communication skills and confidence speaking with parents and carers.

• Ability to handle sensitive conversations in a calm, respectful and professional manner.

• Excellent record keeping and attention to detail.

• Confidence using spreadsheets, databases, email and other office applications.

• Ability to recognise when an issue needs to be escalated to pastoral or safeguarding staff.

• Good organisation and the ability to manage competing priorities.

• Understanding of confidentiality, data protection and safeguarding responsibilities.

• A patient, persistent and solutions-focused approach.

• Willingness to complete relevant school recruitment checks.

• The right to work in the UK.

Application

To be considered for this School Attendance Officer position, please submit your updated CV as soon as possible. Candidates with previous school-based attendance, pastoral or administrative experience are particularly encouraged to apply.