Sixth Form Support Officer

Summary

We are seeking an organised, proactive and student-focused individual to join our Sixth Form team and play a key role in supporting student wellbeing, attendance, admissions and day-to-day operations. This is a varied and rewarding opportunity to work at the heart of a high-achieving academy, helping to create a positive, purposeful and supportive environment where young people can succeed and prepare for their next steps in education, training or employment.

The actual salary for this role will be £28,887.99-£30,623.34 (39 weeks per year, 37.5 hours per week).

About Us

Are you ready to change the world? Harris Science Academy East London is an Outstanding, small school with big ambitions. We are in the top 3% of schools nationally for year on year improvement and in the top 20 most improved schools in London. Join us on our mission to help our children become leaders in their chosen field with many leading in science and to become one of the top schools in the UK.

This is no ordinary school. Situated in an eclectic array of buildings next to the renowned Three Mills Studios (location of BBC’s Masterchef) amongst the iconic East London canal network, this is a unique setting to provide a life changing education for the children of East London.

We believe we will succeed in this mission through a relentless focus on the basic functions of a high performing school:

• Unified leadership and alignment behind a powerful mission.
• Exemplary student behaviour.
• A well-taught, unapologetically academic education for all children.
• Regular opportunities for character development.

Every member of our school community is a leader. We believe that leadership does not have to be macho or at the expense of others. Our values of GRACE help us to achieve success in a collegiate and sustainable way:

• Growth – the belief that we can always improve and that feedback from others is essential for our development.
• Responsibility – we own our decisions and recognise when we need to put things right or make a change.
• Ambition – the belief that access to the top grades, the best universities and elite careers are available for our children.
• Compassion – we are kind to others and grateful for what we have.
• Excellence – we prioritise doing the basics well day after day, so we build habits that lead to success.

The school joined the Harris Federation in September 2022. The Harris Federation is the most successful large multi-academy trust in the UK and the only large trust where disadvantaged students secured a positive progress score in 2022. We are hugely proud of the work we do to support the most vulnerable children in the UK. The Federation has made a significant financial investment in the Academy, with upgrades to Sixth Form provision, buildings and IT. The Federation subject consultants provide industry leading support to middle leaders to deliver the best education possible for all children across the Federation.

If you are aligned, driven and committed to doing what works, this is an excellent opportunity to join an organisation undergoing rapid transformation.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the pastoral care, wellbeing and supervision of Sixth Form students
• Maintaining safe, professional and purposeful study and social spaces
• Promoting high standards of behaviour, attendance, punctuality and conduct
• Monitoring students and escalating safeguarding, welfare and wellbeing concerns appropriately
• Supervising students and carrying out duties across the academy site
• Monitoring and recording attendance, investigating absences and identifying attendance trends
• Administering and coordinating the Sixth Form bursary process, including applications and payments
• Promoting the Sixth Form through events, briefings and engagement activities
• Supporting admissions, enrolment, induction and transition processes for Sixth Form students
• Coordinating interviews, application reviews and admissions administration
• Supporting the delivery of Year 12 and Year 13 induction and pastoral programmes
• Assisting with UCAS administration and maintaining student destination data
• Managing communications with students, parents and carers and responding to enquiries
• Supporting the organisation of Sixth Form events, celebrations and the Year 13 Prom
• Encouraging student engagement with interventions, assessments and enrichment activities
• Assisting with the scheduling of assessments and mock examinations
• Maintaining up-to-date Sixth Form displays, notices and communications
• Contributing to a studious, purposeful and engaging Sixth Form environment

Qualifications & Experience

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• GCSEs in English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent)
• Experience of working in a secondary school, college or other post-16 education setting
• Strong ICT skills, with the ability to use technology to support effective administration, communication and organisation
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills, with a strong attention to detail
• The ability to build positive relationships and quickly establish credibility with students, staff and parents/carers
• A professional and confident telephone manner
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• The ability to remain calm, focused and professional in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent listening skills, with the sensitivity and maturity to handle complex situations appropriately
• A willingness to undertake training and continuous professional development as required

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, an Annual Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

Job Reference: HF07828-HSAEL