We are seeking a warm, organised and resilient attendance/reception administrator to join our specialist SEND school team. This is a key front-facing role within the school, combining responsibility for attendance administration with reception duties and daily interaction with young people who have a range of additional needs, including autism, ADHD, anxiety and SEMH.
The successful candidate will be calm, approachable and confident in communicating with young people who may need reassurance, flexibility and clear boundaries to feel safe and regulated in school.
Why join us?
You’ll be joining a small, caring specialist team where relationships matter, and your role makes a real difference every single day. Our young people need calm, trusted adults to help them feel safe and ready to learn – and this role plays a crucial part in that. We value professionalism, compassion and teamwork, offer strong SEND and safeguarding support, and provide a positive, respectful working environment where staff are genuinely appreciated.
Role:
Reception / Attendance Administrator
Closing date:
5 June 2026
Interview date:
w/c 8 June 2026
Job Type:
Part-time, Term-time only, 22.5 hours per week.
Pay Scale:
Circa £25,359 Full Time Equivalent depending on experience & qualifications, with an actual for Term Time & Part Time (based on 22.5hpw) of Circa £13,050
Pay Calculation
The Pay Scale above is not reduced if working full time (37.5hpw)
Included in the pay scale amount is a calculation of 44.6 weeks per academic year (including holidays). This is 39 term weeks inc 1 week of training days + 5.6 weeks’ holiday (including bank holidays)
Pay is made in equal monthly amounts across the year
Contract Type:
Permanent
Start date:
September 2026
Normal hours:
Monday to Friday, term-time 8:30am-1pm (22.5hpw)
Term time inc 5 training days (8:30am-4pm on training days, advance notice provided).
Site:
The week may be split across 2 sites in Harrogate. Hookstone and town
Essential Info:
Candidates must have experience of working in a similar role
Pre-requisite:
Ability to work with young people who may not always be able to regulate their emotions.
Background:
Strive for Education (Strive) was founded in 2020, originally set up as an Alternative Provision and subsequently registered as an Independent Specialist School. In our Ofsted inspection we were graded ‘Good’, with ‘Outstanding’ behaviour and attitudes, see: Strive’s Ofsted Inspection Report. Strive has expanded significantly over recent years and from September 26 are likely to have 66 Young People on roll over 3 sites plus an Outreach Programme.
Strive provides education for those who do not attend mainstream school on a full-time basis or who have a specialist provision named in their Educational Healthcare plan (EHCP). Full details about Strive can be found using the following link striveforeducation.co.uk
Strive is looking to employ a warm, organised and resilient receptionist/attendance administrator to join our specialist SEND school team. This is a key front-facing role within the school, combining responsibility for attendance administration with reception duties and daily interaction with young people who have a range of additional needs, including autism, ADHD, anxiety and SEMH.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as the first point of contact for pupils, parents/carers, staff and visitors
- Manage daily attendance processes, including registers, taxis, late arrivals, and first-day response
- Build positive, trusting relationships with young people, responding appropriately to emotional or behavioural needs
- Liaise with families regarding attendance, absence and punctuality in a supportive, non-confrontational manner
- Maintain accurate attendance records using the school MIS (training provided if needed)
- Work closely with pastoral, safeguarding and senior staff to identify and respond to attendance concerns
- Support with safeguarding processes, recording concerns in line with school procedures
- Provide general administrative and reception support to ensure the smooth running of the school day
About You:
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience working in a school, SEND setting, youth work, or a similar people-facing environment
- Is confident interacting with young people with additional needs, including those who may be anxious, dysregulated or reluctant to attend school
- Remains calm under pressure and can respond empathetically while maintaining professional boundaries
- Has strong organisational and IT skills, with good attention to detail
- Communicates clearly and professionally with pupils, families and professionals
- Understands the importance of attendance in supporting safeguarding, wellbeing and outcomes
We Offer:
- A supportive, values-led specialist school environment
- A highly collaborative staff team with strong pastoral systems
- Ongoing training in SEND, safeguarding and attendance practice
- The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of young people who have struggled in mainstream settings
Student Needs
All students will have some form of SEND needs. Most will either be categorised as Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). All will need extra support to access their work and help and guidance to manage emotions is often needed. Some students experience difficulties that regularly interfere with their social and learning development and have been directed to access specialist provision to receive this support.
Responsible to:
Centre Lead
Person Specification:
Essential
- Experience working in a school, SEND setting, youth work or similar people‑facing role
- Confidence interacting directly with young people with additional needs, including autism, ADHD, anxiety and SEMH
- Ability to remain calm, patient and emotionally attuned when supporting young people who may be distressed, dysregulated or reluctant to attend school
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with pupils, parents/carers and professionals
- Good organisational skills with attention to detail, particularly when working with attendance data and records
- Good IT skills and willingness to learn school systems (e.g. Arbor MIS, CPOMS safeguarding platform)
- Understanding of the importance of attendance, safeguarding and wellbeing in a specialist education setting
- A professional, flexible and solutions‑focused approach to work
Desirable:
- Previous experience in an attendance, reception or pastoral role within a school or alternative provision
- Knowledge of SEND and trauma‑informed practice
- Experience liaising with families around attendance, behaviour or wellbeing concerns
- Familiarity with school MIS systems (e.g. Arbor or similar)
- Training or experience related to safeguarding children and young people
Expectations
- All staff members must adhere to and promote professional standards including Strive’s code of conduct and values.
General
- The post holder will be expected to undertake any other duties, commensurate within the grade, at the discretion of the Senior Leadership Team and develop and promote high standards of professional conduct throughout the school.
- You will be expected to carry out your duties in line with policies, procedures and relevant legislation. You will be made aware of these in your appointment letter, statement of particulars, induction, ongoing performance management and development through school communications.
- You will be required to work at any premises which Strive has or subsequently acquires or at which it may, from time to time, provide services.
- You will be expected to attend and participate in a wide variety of meetings as well as training and development activities to support Strive and your own professional development.
- As part of your wider duties and responsibilities you will be required to promote and actively support the school’s responsibilities towards safeguarding. Safeguarding is about keeping people safe and protecting people from harm, neglect, abuse and injury. It is about creating safe places, being vigilant and doing something about any concerns you might have. It isn’t just about the very old and the very young, it is about everyone who may be vulnerable.
- The post holder must be willing to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Please note that a conviction may not exclude candidates from appointment but will be considered as part of the recruitment process.
References
- For all roles we require a minimum of two references. References provided must cover the last 3 years and include most recent employment. We will need to request all references from where you have worked with either Children or Vulnerable Adults.
Disclosure
- Strive for Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Recruitment is carried out following safer recruitment principles. All applicants must be willing to undergo safeguarding screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and disclosures with the relevant body at an enhanced level. All staff are required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Data Protection
- Strive for Education Ltd is a “data controller”. This means we are required under data protection legislation to notify you of how we will, collect process and store your personal data during the application and recruitment process. Please review our ‘Privacy Notice for Prospective Employees’ on our website.
How to apply
- Applicants are asked to submit their interest in the role via Indeed by enclosing their CV and a covering letter detailing why you would like a position at Strive. Successfully shortlisted applicants will be contacted to complete an application form and to discuss interview dates.
Pay: From £13,050.00 per year
Application question(s):
- Do you have a clean driving Licence?
- Can you build relationships with young people who may struggle to connect with people?
Language:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
