Director of Pupil Attendance

WOODLANDS SCHOOL

Director of Pupil Attendance

Up to 37 hours per week – term time plus 4 weeks – part time considered

Grade 8 - 10 – 19 – 28 (Dependent on experience)

Salary - £31,067 - £37,938 (pro rata)

Required for July 2025

Do you have what it takes to provide high quality support to our special young people and their families?  

Would you class yourself as a compassionate, collaborative and ambitious practitioner with the determination to make a difference? 

Woodlands is seeking an enthusiastic and compassionate Director of Pupil Attendance to strategically lead on the improvement of attendance for all groups of pupils in school. We have worked hard to make our school a welcoming environment where children and young people feel they are safe and want to come to. However, our families often face significant barriers to attendance, and this is without question, a role that needs to view attendance holistically. We need to make ourselves “easy to reach” and develop lasting relationships to support our pupils so they can access everything Woodlands has to offer.

We want you to join our “Woodlands family” where Ofsted (March 2024) found “staff and pupils get along well and staff want the very best outcomes for pupils”. They described our school as “calm and friendly” where “personalised support is given to those who need it”

This is an exciting time for us as we progress our quality of education to “good” matching all other judgements of “good” in our recent inspection. We are proud of the distance travelled and we want you to join us for the next phase of our journey.

You will be unflappable, have a sense of humour, and be utterly committed to the children in your care. Woodlands is an amazing place to work, and our children need someone who is not afraid to have high expectations of what they can achieve academically and socially and will never let that standard drop. You will have a strong sense of fairness and know that you are a catalyst to change children’s lives.

Does this sound like you?

No SEMH experience is necessary, but a desire to learn and develop is essential.

We are looking for someone who can

• Build and maintain relationships with our young people and their families.

• Monitor attendance and truancy issues for pupils who access alternative provisions and devise and implement intervention strategies to improve these issues

• Oversee and quality assure Alternative Provision

• Liaising with all external agencies involved with our families

• Work with our pupils, staff and alternative providers to find the education that best suits our pupils’ needs

• Effect real change and improvements to the lives and life chances of our amazing young people.

Come and make a difference to the life chances of our young people.

Woodlands is a special school for pupils who have social, emotional and mental health needs. We are proud of the high expectations and aspirations we set for every child and young person, providing an inspiring environment where everyone can learn and achieve.  

We provide ambitious and exciting opportunities through well-designed and individualised curriculum packages.

You will be part of a highly effective, supportive team who readily share best practice amongst the team.

You will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with individual children, young people and their parents. You will find each day rewarding, making the difference, and providing support and nurture for children and parents alike.

You will join us in celebrating success and encouraging all our young people to develop broader life skills, investing in them as a whole child. 

We are incredibly proud of the achievements of all our pupils and trust that you will feel the same as we work together to ensure the successful future for them.

We offer: 

• Excellent professional learning and support at every stage in your career, with opportunity for continued personal development through our Talent Pathway

• Career development opportunities 

• Excellent resources and facilities

• A core belief in staff wellbeing and work life balance for all, evidenced in policy and practice

• Benefits including funded counselling, physiotherapy and GP and other medical support 

• As a school in the Marches Academy Trust teachers have opportunities to engage with staff across the Trust to support and collaborate with peers and colleagues in sharing the expertise across our family of 10 schools.

If you are interested in this post and would like the opportunity to visit the school, or if you have any queries, please contact Lisa Dugmore (Business Manager) on 01939 232372 / Lisa.Dugmore@wdl.mmat.co.uk . Lisa will be more than happy to help

(Please note we do not accept CVs). 

Closing date for applications : 30th June 2025

Interviews – Week commencing 30th June 2025

The Marches Academy Trust values each person equally. We are building a diverse team and embedding a welcoming, inclusive culture that encourages diversity and authenticity. We believe this will encourage creative ways of thinking – ensuring we collaborate more effectively and achieve better outcomes. 

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in our care and expect all staff to embrace this. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to declare any criminal convictions and will be subject to online checks. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

We positively welcome applicants from all qualified candidates who share our ethos.