School Attendance Officer - Downlands Community School

Job Details

ROLE SPECIFICATION – School Attendance Officer

Job Title: School Attendance Officer

Salary: Grade 7 SCP 14 - SCP 19 Starting Salary £25,449.85 to £27,621.78 (incremental progression)

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only.

Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4pm to include a 30-minute unpaid break (one day a week finish at 3:30pm)

Reporting to: Lead PSO

Start Date: ASAP

Join Our Team at Downlands Community School
Downlands Community School is a thriving, inclusive, and ambitious school committed to providing transformative opportunities that take all pupils beyond their lived experience. We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed School Attendance Officer.

Purpose of the Role:
The role of the School Attendance Officer is responsible for improving student attendance and punctuality. This role is vital for maintaining high standards of attendance and working closely with students, staff and carers to reduce absence.

Further details about the role can be found on our website

Further Information

Downlands Community School and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.

Safeguarding Statement
Downlands Community School and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and other relevant pre-employment checks, including satisfactory references.

Shortlisted applicants will also be subject to an online search. This is not part of the shortlisting process, and candidates will have the opportunity to discuss any concerns identified during the search at interview.

How to Apply

Applications should be made using the West Sussex application form, available to download from the school website under the "Vacancies" section: https://www.downlands.w-sussex.sch.uk/join-us/vacancies/

Completed applications should be addressed to: Mr M Ashdown, Headteacher and emailed to recruitment@downlands.org

Closing Date 9:00am on Friday 2nd October 2026

Interviews to be held week commencing 12th October 2026

Please note that references may be requested prior to interview unless applicants indicate on their application form that they do not wish referees to be contacted at that stage.

Start Date - ASAP

NOTE TO CANDIDATES - Please do not select the ‘Apply online’ button as the School processes your applications directly rather than through this site.​

The reference number for this role is SCHO03092.