Data Administrator

We are seeking a Data and Admissions Officer to serve as the technical lead for our school’s Management Information System (MIS), Arbor. This role involves managing the complete admissions lifecycle for a large cohort of 680 pupils, ensuring absolute data integrity, leading all statutory government census returns to secure school funding, and managing complex in-year and statutory school admissions in strict compliance with the Local Authority Coordinated Admissions Scheme and GDPR regulations.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Database Management & Statutory Returns:
• Act as the school’s database administrator for Arbor, ensuring the system is optimized, secure, and user permissions are correctly maintained.
• Lead the preparation, data cleansing, error reconciliation, and formal submission of the School Census three times per academic year to secure core school funding and Pupil Premium allocations.
• Systematically input, audit, and update all pupil records, ensuring data quality across various categories.
• Manage secure data transfers via Common Transfer Files (CTFs) using the DfE’s secure data exchange networks.
• Generate bespoke, highly accurate statistical reports and data trends for various stakeholders.
• Admissions & School Transitions:
• Coordinate the annual September onboarding process for new Nursery and Reception cohorts, acting as the primary liaison with the Local Authority Central Admissions Team.
• Process all mid-term applications, monitor application pipelines, and manage communication with prospective families.
• Conduct mandatory right-to-education and safeguarding checks, including document verification and induction logistics.
• Information Governance & General Admin Support:
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and the school’s data protection guidelines.
• Plan and execute the academic year-end roll-over on the MIS system.
• Provide cross-cover support for attendance tracking and front-of-house telephone filtering during peak periods. +

• Proven experience managing complex, secure databases (CRM or MIS).
• Experience within an educational or local government administration setting.
• Direct experience managing and submitting the DfE School Census (desirable).
• Knowledge & Skills:
• Deep operational knowledge of school MIS systems (e.g., Arbor, SIMS, Bromcom).
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets (data extraction, VLOOKUPs, filters).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills under strict statutory deadlines.
• Clear understanding of the Data Protection Act / GDPR.
• Personal Attributes:
• Meticulous attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Absolute discretion when managing highly sensitive, confidential pupil data.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines independently.
• Positive, flexible approach to working as part of a busy school office team (desirable).