MIS Manager

We are seeking to appoint an experienced, organised and proactive MIS & Cover Manager to lead the effective management of the school’s Management Information System while also coordinating daily cover arrangements across the school.

This is a key operational role, supporting senior leaders, teaching staff, pastoral teams and administrative colleagues with accurate data, efficient systems and the smooth running of daily cover. The successful candidate will ensure that school information is maintained to a high standard and that absence and cover processes are managed effectively, ensuring continuity of learning for pupils., The MIS & Cover Manager will be responsible for:

MIS and Data Management

• Managing and maintaining the school’s MIS, ensuring all pupil, staff, timetable, attendance, assessment and reporting data is accurate and up to date.
• Producing accurate reports, data analysis and dashboards for senior leaders, governors, pastoral teams and curriculum leaders.
• Supporting the school’s census returns, statutory reporting and data submissions, ensuring deadlines are met and information is compliant.
• Managing data collection processes across the school, including assessment points, progress tracking, reporting cycles and intervention data.
• Supporting the effective use of attendance data, behaviour data and safeguarding-related information where appropriate.
• Working closely with senior leaders to ensure data informs school improvement planning and supports timely decision-making.
• Maintaining accurate student records, including admissions, leavers, transfers and changes to pupil information.
• Supporting timetable, options and curriculum data processes where required.
• Training and supporting staff in the effective use of MIS systems and related data tools.
• Ensuring data is handled securely and in line with GDPR, school policies and safeguarding expectations.
• Liaising with external agencies, local authority contacts, trust colleagues or software providers where required.
• Identifying opportunities to improve systems, streamline processes and strengthen the accuracy of school information.

Cover Management

• Coordinating the school’s daily cover arrangements, ensuring staff absence is managed efficiently and lessons are appropriately covered.
• Receiving and recording staff absence information in line with school procedures.
• Organising cover using internal staff, cover supervisors, supply staff and agency workers where required.
• Preparing and distributing daily cover schedules to staff in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ensuring cover arrangements are communicated clearly to teaching staff, cover supervisors, senior leaders and relevant administrative teams.
• Liaising with supply agencies to book suitable cover staff when required.
• Maintaining accurate records of staff absence, supply usage and cover costs.
• Supporting senior leaders with absence reporting, cover analysis and workforce planning information.
• Ensuring cover work is available and communicated appropriately where staff absence is known in advance.
• Responding quickly and calmly to last-minute changes, unexpected absence and urgent operational needs.
• Monitoring the quality and reliability of cover arrangements and escalating concerns where necessary.
• Supporting the induction and sign-in process for visiting supply staff, ensuring safeguarding procedures are followed.
• Helping to ensure pupils experience minimal disruption to learning during periods of staff absence.

Expectations of the Role

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Maintain the highest standards of accuracy, confidentiality and professionalism.
• Work effectively under pressure and manage competing daily deadlines.
• Take ownership of the school’s MIS, data processes and cover systems.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with teaching staff, support staff, senior leaders, agencies and external partners.
• Understand the importance of accurate data and efficient cover in supporting pupil progress, attendance, safeguarding and school improvement.
• Be proactive in identifying and resolving operational issues.
• Keep up to date with relevant statutory returns, compliance requirements and best practice in school data management.
• Maintain a calm, flexible and solution-focused approach, particularly during busy periods and at the start of the school day.
• Contribute positively to the wider school team and support the school’s values and ethos.

Do you have experience in Time management?, The role would suit a confident school data and cover professional with strong attention to detail, excellent organisation skills and the ability to remain calm and solution-focused in a busy school environment., The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous experience working with a school MIS system, such as SIMS, Arbor, Bromcom, iSAMS or similar.
• Experience managing school cover, staff absence or daily operational arrangements.
• Strong experience in school data management, reporting, census returns and statutory data processes.
• Excellent Excel and data analysis skills.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to work accurately with complex information.
• A good understanding of school systems, assessment cycles, attendance data, pupil records and timetables.
• The ability to explain data clearly to non-specialist colleagues.
• Excellent organisation, time management and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to work calmly and quickly under pressure, particularly during morning absence and cover periods.
• A good understanding of GDPR, confidentiality and safeguarding within a school setting.
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to liaise with staff, senior leaders and supply agencies.

Desirable Experience

It would be advantageous to have:

• Experience in a secondary school setting.
• Experience using cover management systems or modules within school MIS platforms.
• Experience supporting examinations, timetabling or assessment processes.
• Knowledge of school census requirements and Department for Education returns.
• Experience using Power BI or other reporting/dashboard tools.
• Experience line managing administrative, data or cover staff.
• Existing relationships with supply agencies or experience managing agency bookings.