Attendance and Admissions Lead

From the advert

Shape the strategy. Strengthen family engagement. Improve children’s life chances.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Phoenix Primary School at an important point in the development of our attendance, admissions and family support work.

We are creating a more integrated and proactive approach that brings together attendance, inclusion, safeguarding and family engagement. We are looking for an experienced, thoughtful and determined professional who wants to do more than manage processes. You will help shape our approach, influence whole-school practice and ensure that every child is known, supported and able to access their education.

As our Attendance and Admissions Lead, you will work directly with the Headteacher and alongside our Inclusion Manager, Family Liaison Officer, Strategic DSL and wider pastoral team. You will have the professional trust and scope to use attendance information intelligently, identify emerging concerns, understand the barriers affecting children and families, and coordinate support that leads to meaningful and sustained improvement.

This is a genuinely strategic position. Routine attendance administration is undertaken by the School Administrator, allowing you to focus on analysis, professional challenge, targeted intervention, partnership working and impact. You will lead the school’s attendance strategy, oversee the admissions experience for prospective and new families, and contribute to safeguarding leadership as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.

At Phoenix, attendance is not viewed in isolation. We understand that absence can be connected to additional needs, emotional wellbeing, family circumstances, safeguarding concerns and a child’s sense of belonging. Our approach is relational and support-led, while maintaining clear expectations and acting decisively when a child’s education or welfare may be at risk.

You will be joining a large, vibrant and values-led primary school where relationships matter, inclusion is central and staff work collectively to support children and families. Phoenix is a warm and ambitious school with a strong community identity and a clear commitment to ensuring that every child is safe, valued and able to succeed.

If you are an analytical and compassionate leader who can combine warmth with professional curiosity, high expectations and the confidence to drive improvement, this role offers the opportunity to make a visible and lasting difference across our school community.

In return, we offer

A strategic role with direct access to the Headteacher and genuine scope to shape whole-school practice.

The opportunity to help develop an integrated attendance, admissions and family support model.

A clear distinction between strategic leadership and routine administrative duties.

Membership of an established safeguarding, inclusion and pastoral team.

Professional trust, autonomy and support within a committed senior leadership team.

Meaningful work in a school where strong relationships with children and families are central to improvement.

A comprehensive induction and access to ongoing professional development through the Trust’s Professional Growth Model.

A warm, caring and values-led school community.

A healthy approach to work-life balance, including a two-week October half-term.

Two paid days off in recognition of the specific SEMH needs of the school and it's pupils.

Care First employee assistance, non-contributory Benenden Healthcare membership and the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Visits to the school are strongly encouraged. Come and meet our team, experience the warmth of Phoenix and discover the difference you could make!

For further details on this role and to apply please visit the school’s careers page Our Vacancies | Phoenix Primary School

Visits to the school are strongly encouraged. For further information and to arrange a school visit, please contact Jo Penn on 01634 829009 or via email jpenn@phoenixprimary.com

We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date where interest and applications received are high, therefore we encourage early applications.

Safeguarding Commitment

Beyond Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All post holders in a regulated activity are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and a satisfactory "Disclosing and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced check".

Equality & Inclusivity Statement

At Beyond Schools Trust we strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace where we can ALL be ourselves. We particularly encourage applications from under-represented communities, including but not limited to those who identify as Black, Asian or from a minority ethnic background.