Attendance and Education Welfare Officer (AEWO)

Attendance and Education Welfare Officer (AEWO)

Salary grade: Scale 5-6 - £30,574.84 - £34,381.67, depending on experience

(please note this salary is the pro rata rate for term time only plus 1 week)

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 5th May

Start date: As soon as possible and certainly by 2nd September 2026

What is the role?

'Leaders and staff have extremely high expectations for all aspects of school life' (OFSTED, September 2022)

It is within this context that the school is seeking an Attendance and Education Welfare Officer (AEWO) who is as ambitious for our students' attendance as we are. Over the last academic year, the school has introduced a completely new attendance procedure, which has improved student attendance so that it is currently in the top 10% of all schools in the country. Such has been the impact of this procedure, that Highbury Fields has been asked to support its introduction in a number of other schools, both locally and nationally.

The appointed person, who might be an experienced AEWO or a recent graduate looking to begin their career in education, will be responsible for leading our innovative procedure on a day-to-day basis. They will work with the Deputy Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure that every child in the school's care is accounted for every day and will further improve our students' attendance by building positive relationships with students and their families, to ensure a common understanding of why being in school each day is in the best interests of all children. In doing so, the successful candidate, who will be an effective communicator with strong organisation and interpersonal skills, will play a leading role in ensuring that every child in our community is known and safe and will be significantly impacting on students' chances of academic and social success.

Highbury Fields School has a proven track record of developing skilled and recently qualified graduates, who are willing to undertake the necessary training for this role.

If you are interested in the post and would like to find out more about the role and the school, please contact Ms Karen Bolden, Headteacher's PA by emailing hr@highburyfields.islington.sch.uk.

If colleagues have any questions relating to this opportunity, they should contact Ms Karen Bolden. A job description and person specification is attached to this document.

Who are we?

'The school focuses on the holistic child' (OFSTED, September 2022)

'Pupils respond extremely well to the challenge of becoming independent learners' (OFSTED, September 2022)

Highbury Fields School is a community in which everyone enjoys academic and social success. The school actively celebrates and promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and aims to make everyone in our community feel welcome and wanted in school.

An 11 to 18 girls' school, we are proud to serve a culturally rich, but often underprivileged, community and are fiercely determined that every child in our care will develop into a confident young adult, who is academically and socially accomplished.

The school's consecutive 'outstanding' OFSTED reports of 2016 and 2022 and our consistently high progress 8 scores and attainment (average grade 5.7) have established our students' reputation for academic excellence and we are highly regarded in the local community for our calm, focused learning environment.

However, we are neither complacent nor satisfied. The school strives for excellence in all aspects of its work and over the last two years we have completely revised our studied, pastoral and wider curricular to ensure we are meeting the needs of all our students in the current context. Our intention is to take each student on an educational journey of memorable and stimulating learning experiences, that enables them to be academically and socially successful, both in school and beyond. Students' attendance is vital to that mission and, whilst our attendance is excellent, we know it can be even better with the right person in post.

What can we offer the appointed candidate?

'Low-level disruption in class is very rare. Pupils come to lessons ready and eager to learn' (OFSTED, September 2022)

Working at Highbury Fields School offers colleagues the following benefits:

· An exceptional learning environment

· A highly regarded research based internal learning and teaching development programme

· Keeping well time every half term

· A generous pension scheme

· Reduced London wide gym membership

· Cycle to work scheme

· Interest free travel season ticket loans

· Employee assistance programme

· Computer purchase scheme

What are the safeguarding requirements of the role?

'Pupils are proud of their school. They enjoy school and feel safe' (OFSTED, September 2022)

Highbury Fields School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects that all staff will share and demonstrate this commitment.

The position is subject to a DBS enhanced disclosure check.

In line with 'keeping children safe in education' and safer recruitment practices, the school will conduct an online search for all shortlisted candidates. The online search is part of the school's safeguarding procedures to determine from publicly available information whether they are suitable to work with children and young people. Shortlisted candidates will also be asked at interview about their online presence.

Where should I look for further information?

'Staff are proud to work at the school. Leaders engage with staff' (OFSTED, September 2022)

For further information about the school, please refer to the school's curriculum booklet and latest OFSTED report.

To arrange a conversation about the role, or a tour of the school, please email the Headteacher's PA, Karen Bolden, HR@highburyfields.islington.sch.uk

'The school focuses on the holistic child' (OFSTED, September 2022)

'Pupils respond extremely well to the challenge of becoming independent learners' (OFSTED, September 2022)

Highbury Fields School is a community in which everyone enjoys academic and social success. The school actively celebrates and promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and aims to make everyone in our community feel welcome and wanted in school.

An 11 to 18 girls' school, we are proud to serve a culturally rich, but often underprivileged, community and are fiercely determined that every child in our care will develop into a confident young adult, who is academically and socially accomplished.

The school's consecutive 'outstanding' OFSTED reports of 2016 and 2022 and our consistently high progress 8 scores and attainment (average grade 5.7) have established our students' reputation for academic excellence and we are highly regarded in the local community for our calm, focused learning environment.

However, we are neither complacent nor satisfied. The school strives for excellence in all aspects of its work and over the last two years we have completely revised our studied, pastoral and wider curricular to ensure we are meeting the needs of all our students in the current context. Our intention is to take each student on an educational journey of memorable and stimulating learning experiences, that enables them to be academically and socially successful, both in school and beyond. Students' attendance is vital to that mission and, whilst our attendance is excellent, we know it can be even better with the right person in post.

What can we offer the appointed candidate?

'Low-level disruption in class is very rare. Pupils come to lessons ready and eager to learn' (OFSTED, September 2022)

Working at Highbury Fields School offers colleagues the following benefits:

· An exceptional learning environment

· A highly regarded research based internal learning and teaching development programme

· Keeping well time every half term

· A generous pension scheme

· Reduced London wide gym membership

· Cycle to work scheme

· Interest free travel season ticket loans

· Employee assistance programme

· Computer purchase scheme

What are the safeguarding requirements of the role?

'Pupils are proud of their school. They enjoy school and feel safe' (OFSTED, September 2022)

Highbury Fields School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects that all staff will share and demonstrate this commitment.

The position is subject to a DBS enhanced disclosure check.

In line with 'keeping children safe in education' and safer recruitment practices, the school will conduct an online search for all shortlisted candidates. The online search is part of the school's safeguarding procedures to determine from publicly available information whether they are suitable to work with children and young people. Shortlisted candidates will also be asked at interview about their online presence.