At GLF Schools, our vision is for every child to shape their future through an excellent education. Guided by our mission that everyone is known and noticed every day, and our ambition to be sector leading with strong local roots, we place excellent teaching at the heart of everything we do. We are always inclusive so everyone feels valued and supported, and maintain a whole-child focus because character, wellbeing and breadth of experience matter.  

Your Opportunity 

As Trust Attendance Lead, you will lead GLF’s trust-wide strategy to improve attendance across all phases, from our Nursery settings through to our 6th Forms, reducing persistent absence and closing attendance gaps for disadvantaged and vulnerable pupils, ensuring every school has the systems, support and accountability needed to help every child attend, belong, achieve and thrive. 

What we are looking for 

• Proven leadership experience driving improvement across multiple schools, with a clear focus on equity, inclusion, excellent teaching and strong pupil outcomes. 
• Expert knowledge of attendance, inclusion, safeguarding and family engagement, including the whole-child factors that enable children to attend, learn and thrive. 
• Highly analytical, able to use attendance, VYED, ABIE target, vulnerability and contextual data to identify barriers, shape timely support and evaluate impact. 
• Confident in setting, monitoring and challenging progress against ambitious attendance and inclusion targets, including ABIE targets, so that data leads to practical action and improved outcomes for children and young people. 
• Skilled at influencing, challenging and supporting school leaders. 
• Passionate about improving outcomes for every child. 
• Confident leading change, shaping policy and embedding best practice. 
• An exceptional communicator who builds trusted partnerships with schools, families and wider services. 
• Resilient, proactive and motivated by making a difference every day. 

Join the GLF Schools Community 

As part of GLF Schools, you will join a community shaped by a clear strategy and a shared ambition for every child to achieve and thrive. Our work is supported by Community Strengthening, with schools driving local improvement, and Sector Shaping, helping to lead the system and try new things. First and foremost, our People are the foundation of all we do, and this role will work through that foundation by building capacity, confidence and shared accountability across our schools. 

• A growing Multi Academy Trust with over 2,500 colleagues and over 19,000 pupils 
• Founded upon the values of Respect, Inclusivity, Integrity and Kindness 
• 43 primary and secondary schools across 7 Local Authority areas across the south of England 
• We work as a community whilst ensuring each school maintains its own unique identity 
• Committed to ensuring every child and young person attends, belongs, achieves and thrives 

GLF Schools Employment Offer 

GLF Schools has a generous employment offer, which allows all our colleagues to Grow, Learn and Flourish 

• Access to our highly competitive Pension Scheme 
• Flexible working options 
• Generous holiday allowance 
• Work life and family friendly policies 
• Employee wellbeing initiatives 
• Access to a staff benefits portal 
• Community and collaboration working model 

The Details 

Start date: 4thJanuary 2027 or asap 

Hours: Full time, Permanent 36 hours a week, 52 weeks a year

Salary: Leadership 2 - £70,275 - £74,000 (flexibility for an exceptional candidate)      

Close date: 4th October

Interview date: Friday 9th October / Monday 12th October 

If you would welcome an informal conversation about the role before applying, or ahead of interview, please contact Becky Jones, Director of SEND, Inclusion and Vulnerable Groups, details of which can be found on the job description. 

At GLF Schools, the safety and wellbeing of children and young people is our top priority. We are fully committed to safeguarding and expect everyone who works or volunteers with us to share that commitment. All roles are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We understand that life is busy and that flexibility matters. That’s why we’re happy to explore flexible working arrangements that help you balance your professional and personal commitments.

GLF Schools is proud to celebrate the rich diversity of our schools and communities. We’re building a culture where:

• Everyone is respected and valued.
• Discrimination is never tolerated.
• Equity and fairness are at the heart of everything we do.
• Staff, children, and students are safe to express their identities.

We believe that diversity strengthens our organisation and our community. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from groups that are underrepresented in our workforce. This includes, but is not limited to, people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, trans and non-binary individuals, people of all ages, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of all faiths and beliefs.

To help us manage applications efficiently:

• We may close this vacancy early if we receive a strong response, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
• We may also interview shortlisted candidates before the official closing date.

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance, we will carry out an online search and request references for all shortlisted candidates. Shortlisted candidates will also be required to complete a self-declaration form. You will have the opportunity in the application form to confirm if you would prefer referees to be contacted after your interview.