Admission Officer

St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School; Rochester; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

St John Fisher School is seeking an Office Manager to lead the admissions process, coordinating applications, documentation, and transition events for new intake. You will work with SLT, governors, and parents to ensure smooth admissions while maintaining accurate records.

The role requires strong ICT skills, SIMS knowledge, and the ability to handle deadlines in a busy school environment. Training and safeguarding focus are key components of the position.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal skills with diverse stakeholders including SLT and parents.
• Good ICT skills and familiarity with SIMS software.
• Organised with attention to detail and deadline discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead and be the main contact for parents seeking admission to the school.
• Process external applications across year groups with SLT input.
• Ensure paperwork is ready for Governors’ Admissions Committee.
• Communicate with parents about appeals and prepare required documents.
• Gather student information from previous schools for new admissions.
• Support transition processes and information evenings for new intake.
• Coordinate with feeder institutions regarding transition and documents.
• Check free school meal entitlement for admissions to maximise uptake.
• Maintain waiting lists with local authority and follow up when places arise.
• Liaise with SEN team on EHCPs and EAL cases.
• Produce regular on/off-roll stats for staff and local authority.
• Ensure on-roll dates and timetables are clear; manage leaving students data.
• Arrange in-year admissions appointments with staff and paperwork.
• Support publicity events for entry to year 7 and liaise with Sixth Form team.
• Produce typed documents, PowerPoint and Excel databases.
• Commit to safeguarding policies and staff development planning.

Skills

Independent worker

Team player

Interpersonal skills

GCSEs 5+ A*-C

ICT skills

SIMS knowledge

Organised and methodical

Attention to detail

Deadline driven

Admission platform familiarity

Education

GCSEs A*-C

Tools

SIMS

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Responsible To

Office Manager

Purpose of Job

To lead and be responsible for undertaking the admissions process - providing an effective and efficient service to the school and prospective parents/carers and students.

Person Specification

Essential Skills

• To be able to work independently as well as being a good team member
• To be able communicate effectively using good interpersonal skills with various stakeholders including SLT, Governing Body, teachers, students, parents.
• Good level of education 5+ A*- C grades GCSE
• Excellent ICT skills: Word, Excel, E-mail, Internet
• Excellent knowledge of SIMS
• Organised and methodical working
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to meet strict deadlines
• Work under pressure
• Ability to use an admission platform or learn to use it

Principle Roles/Responsibilities

• Operate as the lead contact for parents seeking admission to the school, explaining and assisting with admissions processes and procedures
• Process external applications to all year groups, liaising with the Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and Year Leaders
• Ensure all relevant paperwork is in place for the Governors’ Admissions Committee
• Liaise with parents regarding the appeal process when required and compile necessary documentation for appeals (attending appeal hearings when required)
• Ensure that relevant student information is gathered from previous schools for new admissions and information for those leaving St John Fisher School for other institutions in passed on
• Take an active role in the preparation of the transition process, including providing parents with the necessary information packs, attending the School Open Evening and the New Intake Information Evening, being available to assist parents with any queries
• Communicate with all feeder institutions regarding transition including distribution arrangements of documents, prospectus and the like
• Ensure that a free school meal entitlement check is undertaken for all admissions in order to ensure that free school meal uptake remains as high as possible
• Maintain waiting lists in collaboration with the local authority and pursue applicants when places become available
• Liaise with the SEN team over applicants who have an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) or special educational needs or English as an Additional Language
• Produce regular on/off-roll information, including statistics and ensure this is communicated to all the necessary staff and the local authority
• Liaise with relevant staff to ensure that on-roll dates are clear, that timetables are available for admissions and that students leaving are removed
• Arrange in-year admissions appointments with relevant staff and ensure all necessary paperwork is available
• Lead the administrative support provided for all publicity, visits to primary schools, open evenings and open days for entry to year 7 and liaise with the Sixth Form team over publicity events for entry to year 12
• Produce a variety of typed/word-processed documents, PowerPoint presentations and Excel databases.
• Be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and follow the safeguarding policy
• Staff Development:
• To assess development and training needs and discuss with line manager.
• To set your own targets before any development activity and review and evaluate the activity after completion, cascading information to the appropriate team when relevant.
• To keep personal records of all staff development activities in which you are/have been involved.