Trust Attendance Lead

Suffolk County Council; Haverhill; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Unity Schools Partnership is seeking an exceptional Trust Attendance Lead to drive our attendance strategy and support 40 primary, secondary and special schools across East Anglia and north‑east London. You will shape data-informed priorities, quality-assure attendance practices, and provide expert coaching to school leaders to raise pupil engagement and achievement.

The role requires strategic leadership, safeguarding expertise, and a collaborative approach with trust and school leaders to

Qualifications

• Experience of working with school and trust leaders to drive improvement across multiple settings.
• Ability to analyse complex information and turn data into action and impact.
• Ability to build effective relationships while providing professional challenge.
• Understanding of attendance, safeguarding, inclusion, SEND and related factors.
• Professional judgement, discretion and safeguarding commitment.
• Commitment to inclusion, equality and our values.
• Skill in building and maintaining stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the trust-wide attendance strategy.
• Use data and evidence to identify priorities and trends.
• Quality assure practice across schools and provide expert support.
• Help build leadership capacity and strengthen systems.
• Ensure attendance practice is embedded across our schools.

Skills

School leadership experience

Data analysis

Relationship building

Safeguarding knowledge

Professional discretion

Inclusion & equality

Communication & collaboration

Job description

• Unity Schools Partnership
• Address: Homefield Road, Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 8QP
• Salary: £59,474 - £66,076 per annum
• Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, (hybrid with regular attendance at trust offices and travel to schools as required), 24 days holiday rising to 29 days holiday after 5 years’ service plus bank holidays
• Contract: Permanent, required as soon possible
• Reference: 5649

Unity Schools Partnership is seeking an exceptional Trust Attendance Lead to drive our trust-wide attendance strategy and support schools to secure lasting improvements in pupil attendance, engagement and achievement. We have 40 primary, secondary and special schools across East Anglia and north‑east London.

Why this role matters

Attendance is one of the most significant factors influencing educational outcomes, safeguarding and life chances. This is a strategic leadership role at the centre of our school improvement work. Working alongside trust and school leaders, you will shape and deliver our attendance strategy, use of data and evidence to identify priorities and trends, quality assure practice across schools and provide expert support and challenge to leaders. You will help build leadership capacity, strengthen systems and ensure that effective attendance practice is embedded consistently across our schools, resulting in positive outcomes for pupils and families.

What we are looking for

• experience of working with school and trust leaders, to deliver improvement across multiple settings
• the ability to strategically analyse complex information and turn data into meaningful action and impact
• sound judgement, resilience and the ability to build effective relationships while maintaining professional challenge
• a strong understanding of attendance, safeguarding, inclusion, SEND and the wider factors affecting pupil engagement
• professional judgement, discretion and a real commitment to confidentiality and safeguarding
• a commitment to inclusion, equality and our values of integrity, inclusion and kindness
• skill in building and maintaining positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders.

Why join us?

A pivotal role in a growing trust, working closely with senior leaders and colleagues across a family of schools.

Closing date: 9 am, 2 November 2026.

Interview date: 11 November 2026.

We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from under-represented groups as well as colleagues from majority groups who share our values. Flexible working options, including part-time and job-share will be considered.

Unity Schools Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. An enhanced DBS check will be required.