Attendance Lead in Swaffham

Salary – Scale F, £29,064-£31,022 FTE Permanent Full Time 37 hours per week Term Time plus 2 weeks

Join the Team at Fred Nicholson School and make a real difference in the lives of amazing young people. We are looking for a dedicated Attendance Lead to join our friendly, supportive, and imaginative team. Whether you’re an experienced educator or someone with a passion for SEN looking to start a new career, we’d love to hear from you.

The role involves leading and driving a whole-school approach to attendance and inclusion, ensuring that all pupils, particularly the most vulnerable, attend regularly, feel included, and are fully able to access learning and achieve. The postholder will work both strategically and operationally to identify and remove barriers to attendance, promote an inclusive culture, and ensure that no child is overlooked.

The Attendance Lead will take a proactive, empathetic, and relational approach to understand why a pupil is missing school, whether due to medical, sensory, emotional, or familial factors, and work collaboratively to remove those barriers. A central element of this role involves conducting regular home visits to establish trust, assess well-being, and co-create bespoke return-to-school plans with families.

Is This Role for You?

• Ready to make a difference to pupils with complex needs (pupils aged 4 –18).
• Looking for opportunities to learn: You’ll join a team that values professional development and growth.
• Adaptable and kind: Our pupils succeed when they have consistent, caring adults by their sides.
• Resilient and positive: A good sense of humour and a positive outlook are a must.

Life at Fred Nicholson

Fred Nicholson School is a Complex Needs School for pupils aged 4-18 with a wide range of needs, including complex and severe learning difficulties as well as social interaction and communication difficulties. All pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan and access a practical, hands‑on curriculum (based on EYFS and Primary models). Our classes are approximately 12 pupils per class, with a focus on engagement and success.

Our New Environment:

• Purpose-built provision for pupils aged 4-18 years
• Bespoke, sensory-designed learning spaces
• Large outside facilities, including play equipment, a MUGA and a forest school
• Dedicated soft play, sensory enrichment and independence classrooms

Hours & Salary

We value balance and clarity. Here is what the week looks like: Schedule: 37 hours pw (Term time + 2 weeks). Daily: Mon-Thu (08:00–16:00), Fri (08:00-15:30). Salary: Scale F (£29,064 - £31,022 FTE).

We Invest in You

Don’t worry if you haven’t worked in a school before. If you have the heart for it, we provide:

• A full staff induction programme.
• Ongoing Whole School CPD (Continuing Professional Development).
• Specialist training appropriate to your specific role.

Please contact hr@frednicholson.norfolk.sch.uk for an opportunity to arrange a meeting with Heidi Philpott, Head Teacher, to discuss the role further or to arrange a visit to the school.

Closing date: 7 September 2026, 9am

Interview date: w/c 14 September 2026

Fred Nicholson School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; an enhanced DBS check is required for all successful candidates. This post is likely to come under the requirements of the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations and the successful applicant will be required to complete a declaration form to establish whether they are disqualified under these regulations. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and you will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced DBS check with barred list.

If you have information to declare it may be protected under the Exceptions Orders and you may not be required to declare it. You will be asked to make a criminal conviction declaration if you are shortlisted for the post. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.