Attendance Officer - Primary School

Attendance Officer | Primary School in Basingstoke

Job Title: Attendance Officer

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire

Start Date: ASAP

The Opportunity

A welcoming primary school in Basingstoke 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 escalating 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:

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