We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Senior Admissions Officer to join our Admissions Team. This is an exciting opportunity for a talented admissions professional with experience of international student recruitment, UKVI compliance and independent school admissions.
Working closely with the Head of Admissions, you will play a key role in delivering an exceptional admissions experience for prospective families from initial enquiry through to enrolment. You will oversee international admissions, manage CAS and UKVI compliance processes, build strong relationships with educational agents and guardians, and support recruitment events both in the UK and overseas.
The successful candidate will have significant experience within an independent school admissions environment, excellent organisational and communication skills, and a thorough understanding of UKVI sponsorship requirements. Experience of iSAMS, Metis and working with international families is highly desirable.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a collaborative and ambitious team, helping to attract outstanding pupils from across the UK and around the world while ensuring the highest standards of compliance and customer service.
Interview date: Week commencing 10th August 2026
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Senior Admissions Officer
REPORTS TO: Head of Admissions
DEPARTMENT: Admissions
DATE OF ISSUE: July 2026
BACKGROUND
Founded in 1923 Canford School is set in 250 acres of inspirational parkland on the outskirts of Wimborne in Dorset.
The school, which has some 650 boys and girls aged 13-18, is amongst the country’s top co-educational boarding schools. Canford has established a commanding reputation built on its excellent academic achievement, breadth of education and a fresh lively approach.
Canford is a highly successful School and we thrive on knowing that we employ people who are inspired to work here, who share our core values and are challenged by the opportunities that working at Canford provides.
MAIN OBJECTIVES:
The Admissions Team is responsible for all aspects of pupil recruitment, admissions and onboarding. In addition to maintaining pupil numbers, the Team is responsible for ensuring that prospective pupils and their families enjoy a highly professional, welcoming and efficient introduction to Canford.
The Admissions Team works closely with the Headmaster, Marketing Team, academic and pastoral staff, educational agents, guardians, feeder schools and families both within the UK and internationally.
The successful candidate will be an experienced admissions professional with a strong understanding of international student recruitment, UKVI compliance and independent school admissions. They will combine exceptional organisational and administrative skills with the ability to build strong relationships with families, agents, guardians and colleagues whilst maintaining the highest standards of compliance and customer service.
KEY TASKS:
International Admissions, Enrolment & Onboarding
- Managing the admissions journey for international applicants from initial enquiry through to enrolment and arrival at Canford.
- Acting as a principal point of contact for international families throughout the admissions process.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with educational agents, consultants and partner organisations.
- Supporting the development of the School's international recruitment activity alongside the Head of Admissions.
- Advising families regarding admissions procedures, visa requirements and enrolment processes.
- Coordinating the collection, verification and maintenance of all documentation required for international applicants.
- Managing the onboarding process for international pupils and ensuring all admissions, compliance and pastoral requirements are completed prior to arrival.
- Liaising with House Staff, Medical Centre, Learning Support, Finance and other departments to ensure the smooth integration of international pupils into School life.
- Supporting international induction programmes and arrival days.
- Monitoring the progress of international applicants through the admissions process and maintaining regular communication with families and agents.
- Ensuring an outstanding admissions experience for all international applicants and their families.
- Attending pupil recruitment events and delegations overseas.
Agents, Guardians & International Partnerships
- Acting as the primary operational liaison for educational agents and guardians.
- Building and maintaining productive relationships with agent partners.
- Supporting agent recruitment activity and maintaining regular communication with key partners.
- Managing guardian information and ensuring all guardian arrangements comply with School and UKVI requirements.
- Liaising with guardian organisations and individual guardians as required.
- Maintaining accurate records relating to guardianship arrangements and associated documentation.
- Supporting the Head of Admissions in developing new international recruitment partnerships.
UKVI Compliance & Sponsorship Duties
- Acting as the operational lead for UKVI compliance within the Admissions Team.
- Managing all aspects of CAS administration and allocation.
- Supporting the School's obligations as a licensed student sponsor.
- Maintaining accurate and auditable records for sponsored pupils.
- Monitoring visa documentation, immigration status and compliance requirements.
- Maintaining oversight of pupils who are subject to immigration control and ensuring records remain accurate and up to date.
- Monitoring changes to UKVI regulations and ensuring procedures remain compliant.
- Liaising with the School's appointed immigration compliance provider and other relevant agencies.
- Supporting preparations for UKVI inspections, audits and compliance reviews.
- Producing reports and documentation required for compliance monitoring.
- Ensuring compliance processes are embedded within admissions procedures and wider school systems.
- Identifying areas of compliance risk and recommending improvements to processes and procedures.
Scholarships, Bursaries & Assessments
- Managing the administration of scholarship assessments and awards.
- Coordinating bursary application processes and supporting documentation.
- Organising and overseeing assessment days and testing events.
- Liaising with academic departments regarding assessments, recommendations and outcomes.
- Ensuring all relevant information is collated and prepared for admissions decision meetings.
- Coordinating the communication of admissions decisions, scholarship awards and assessment outcomes.
- Maintaining accurate assessment and scholarship records.
Admissions Operations & Reporting
- Maintaining accurate applicant records within iSAMS, Metis and associated systems.
- Monitoring applicant progression throughout the admissions process.
- Supporting admissions reporting, forecasting and analysis.
- Producing reports to support recruitment planning and strategic decision-making.
- Contributing to the continual review and improvement of admissions systems and procedures.
- Ensuring data accuracy and integrity across admissions platforms.
Events & Recruitment Activity
- Supporting the organisation and delivery of Open Mornings, Familiarisation Days, Discovery Days and other admissions events.
- Representing Canford at recruitment events, exhibitions and agent meetings as required.
- Supporting feeder school engagement activity.
- Acting as an ambassador for Canford at all times.
Leadership & Departmental Support
- Deputising for the Head of Admissions when required.
- Providing support and guidance to colleagues within the Admissions Team.
- Contributing to departmental planning, strategy and reporting.
- Supporting the training and development of Admissions colleagues.
- Working collaboratively with colleagues across the School.
- Undertaking other duties as reasonably required by the Head of Admissions.
No job description can fully cover all aspects of such an appointment and the responsibilities are likely to expand and evolve.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Senior Admissions Officer
Date: July 2026
Department: Admissions
- Relevant postgraduate or professional qualification in a relevant or related discipline (e.g AMCIS Diploma)
- Significant experience within an independent school admissions environment.
- Experience of international admissions and international student recruitment.
- Experience of UKVI compliance and sponsorship duties.
- Experience of CAS administration.
- Experience of working with educational agents and international families.
- Experience of managing complex admissions processes.
- Experience of working with confidential and sensitive information.
- Detailed understanding of UKVI sponsorship requirements and immigration compliance.
- Strong understanding of independent school admissions.
- Understanding of international recruitment and enrolment processes.
- Understanding of guardianship requirements for international pupils.
- Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities.
- Experience of iSAMS or equivalent school MIS.
- Experience of Metis or equivalent admissions CRM.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills including Excel.
- Experience of UKVI Sponsorship Management Systems.
- Experience within a boarding school environment.
- Experience preparing for UKVI audits or inspections.
- Experience supporting bursary processes.
- Knowledge of international education markets.
- Experience of admissions reporting and forecasting.
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- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Exceptional organisational and administrative skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent customer service and relationship management skills.
- Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement.
- Confidence communicating with families, agents, guardians and senior colleagues.
Personal Qualities required
- A warm, professional and welcoming approach.
- Excellent judgement and discretion.
- Exceptional attention to detail.
- A proactive and solutions-focused mindset.
- Strong organisational skills and personal accountability.
- The ability to build effective relationships with families, agents, guardians and colleagues.
- Commercial awareness and an understanding of pupil recruitment.
- The ability to balance regulatory compliance with excellent customer service.
- A commitment to delivering an outstanding admissions experience.
We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in our workplace and encourage applications from a diverse range of suitable qualified candidates
Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All successful job applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening.
