Trust Attendance Lead

Unity Schools Partnership; Haverhill; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Job summary

Unity Schools Partnership is seeking an exceptional Trust Attendance Lead to drive our attendance strategy and support schools across East Anglia and north-east London to secure lasting improvements in pupil attendance, engagement and achievement.

You will work centrally with Trust and school leaders, shaping data-driven priorities, challenging practice, and building leadership capacity to ensure high standards of safeguarding and inclusion across multiple settings.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with school and Trust leaders to deliver improvement across multiple settings.
• 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.
• Strong understanding of attendance, safeguarding, inclusion, SEND and related factors affecting pupil engagement.
• Commitment to inclusion, equality and safeguarding; professional discretion and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Trust Attendance strategy and improve attendance across all schools.
• Use data and evidence to identify priorities and trends, and quality assure practice.
• Support school leaders with implementing attendance improvement plans.
• Build leadership capacity and ensure safeguarding and inclusion are embedded across the Trust.

Skills

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Strategic leadership

Safeguarding knowledge

Confidentiality

Job description

Location: Unity Schools Partnership Trust Office (Working with our schools across East Anglia and north-east London)

Contract: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, permanent (hybrid with regular attendance at Trust offices and travel to schools as required)

Salary: Grade 8 SP 40-45, (£59,474 to £66,076 per annum).

Job Start: As soon as possible

Annual leave: 24 days holiday rising to 29 days holiday after 5 years’ service plus bank holidays

Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme

Play a key strategic role in improving attendance and transforming outcomes for pupils

Unity Schools Partnership (40 primary, secondary and special schools across East Anglia and north‑east London) 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.

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’re looking for

You’ll bring:

• 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.

Closing Date: 9.00 am, Monday 2nd November 2026

Interviews: Wednesday 11th 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.