Location
Bacup Thorn Primary School, Cowtoot Lane, Bacup, OL13 8EF (259 on roll)
Tel: 01706 874027
School website: www.thorn.lancs.sch.uk
Summary
Thorn Primary School is a welcoming primary school committed to ensuring every child thrives both academically and socially. We are seeking a highly organised, proactive, and committed Attendance Lead/Business Support Officer to join our dedicated team.
This is a key role within the school, responsible for promoting excellent pupil attendance and supporting the smooth running of the school office and administrative systems.
The position is part-time, 31.25 hours per week, 08.30am 3.15pm Monday to Friday with a half-hour unpaid meal break (term time only). The salary quoted is full-time equivalent, actual salary will be £20,097 - £22,896.
Key Responsibilities
Attendance Lead
- Monitor and track pupil attendance daily, ensuring accurate records are maintained
- Identify trends, patterns, and concerns around attendance and punctuality
- Work closely with families to improve attendance, including holding meetings and offering support
- Liaise with external agencies (eg. Attendance Team, Family Support) where appropriate
- Produce regular attendance reports for senior leaders and governors
- Promote a positive culture of attendance across the school
Business Support Officer
- Provide administrative support to the Senior Leadership Team
- Maintain accurate pupil records using the schools MIS system
- Update social media platform and website
- Liaise with staff to organise school trips and internal visitors
- Support admissions, leavers, and transitions
- Assist with communications to parents and carers
- Manage general office duties, including responding to emails, calls, and visitors
- Support financial and procurement processes where required
We are seeking someone who:
- Has experience working in a school office or similar administrative role
- Has knowledge of attendance procedures and safeguarding requirements
- Is highly organised with excellent attention to detail
- Can work accurately whilst working calmly under pressure with frequent interruptions.
- Has strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Is confident using IT systems including MIS (preferably SIMS)
- Can work independently as well as part of a team
- Demonstrates initiative, professionalism, and discretion
What We Offer
- A supportive and friendly working environment
- A committed and hardworking team
- Opportunities for professional development
- A school that values staff wellbeing and work-life balance
Please note that in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, an online search will be carried out as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.
Please note CVs are not accepted, to apply for this vacancy you need to complete the application form attached.
This position is part time, term time only, please note the salary quoted is full time equivalent. If successful, the salary received will be paid on a pro rata basis.
The closing date is 12 noon 01/07/2026
Essential Qualifications
- GCSE Grade C or above in Maths and English.
Essential Experience
- Experience of working in a school office.
- Experience of using school Management Information Systems.
Desirable Experience
- Experience of SIMS is preferred.
Experience of financial administration and cash handling.
-
Equal Opportunities statement
An Equal Opportunities Employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Information provided by you or the Disclosure and Barring Service will be dealt with in a confidential manner in accordance with the DBS's Code of Practice. You may view the Code of Practice on the DBS website at www.gov.uk/dbs or alternatively a copy is available on request. Lancashire County Council has a Handling of DBS Certificate Information Policy and a Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders this is available from the recruiting manager to applicants who are asked to complete a DBS application.
