Data Officer | Northampton

The Opportunity

Northampton is a town with a rich history of industry and a rapidly growing focus on logistics and digital infrastructure. We are seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Data Officer to join our school’s operational team. In the modern educational landscape, data is the key to unlocking student potential. This role is for a professional who enjoys working with complex information and understands how to turn raw numbers into clear, actionable insights that help teachers and leaders improve outcomes for every young person in our care.

The Data and Administration Team

The Data Officer sits at the heart of the school's strategic planning. You will work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, the Examinations Officer, and the Pastoral leads to ensure our Management Information System (MIS) is accurate, secure, and effective.

You will join a professional and supportive office environment where technical expertise is highly valued. We believe that efficient data management reduces teacher workload, and you will be central to creating systems that make reporting and tracking seamless. We provide a modern workspace, access to the latest educational software, and a commitment to ongoing professional development, ensuring you stay at the forefront of educational data trends.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

As the Data Officer, you will be the primary architect of the school’s information systems. Your responsibilities will include:

• Management Information System (MIS) Oversight: Taking lead responsibility for the maintenance and development of the school's MIS (e.g., SIMS, Bromcom, or Arbor), ensuring all student and staff data is accurate and up to date.

• Academic Reporting: Managing the school’s assessment cycles. This includes setting up marksheets, processing student grades, and generating high-quality reports for parents and carers.

• Data Analysis: Creating bespoke dashboards and reports for the Senior Leadership Team to track student progress, attendance trends, and behavioral patterns, highlighting key areas for intervention.

• Statutory Returns: Coordinating and submitting essential statutory data returns to the Department for Education (DfE), such as the School Census and Workforce Census, ensuring total accuracy and compliance with deadlines.

• Admissions and Transitions: Managing the technical aspects of student admissions and the transfer of data for new intakes and leavers, ensuring a smooth transition for students joining the school.

• Timetable Support: Assisting the leadership team in the technical construction and maintenance of the school timetable, ensuring that rooming and staffing data is correctly mapped.

• GDPR and Security: Ensuring that all data handling practices comply with GDPR and data protection regulations, maintaining the highest levels of confidentiality and system security.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will be a logical thinker with a passion for precision and a high degree of technical proficiency. You should possess:

• Analytical Expertise: Proven experience in a data-rich role, preferably within an educational setting. You should have a natural affinity for spreadsheets and database management.

• ICT Mastery: Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (including complex formulas, pivot tables, and VLOOKUPs) and significant experience with school-specific MIS platforms.

• Attention to Detail: An unwavering commitment to accuracy, with the ability to spot discrepancies in large datasets and the persistence to correct them.

• Communication Skills: The ability to translate complex data into simple, visual formats and explain technical information clearly to non-specialist colleagues.

• Organization and Pressure: The ability to manage multiple competing deadlines, particularly during peak reporting periods and census windows, while maintaining a calm and methodical approach.

• Professional Integrity: A deep understanding of the importance of data security and the ethical implications of handling sensitive personal information.

Why Join Our School?

Working as a Data Officer in Northampton offers a rewarding career path within a stable and forward-thinking educational environment. Benefits include:

• Professional Investment: Access to specialized training for your specific MIS platform and opportunities to join regional data manager networks.

• Strategic Impact: Join a team where your work directly influences the school's improvement strategy and the academic success of our students.

• Stability and Benefits: A permanent role with a consistent schedule and access to the local government pension scheme.

• Work-Life Balance: A professional environment that values efficiency and provides a supportive network of administrative colleagues.

How to Apply

To apply for this Data Officer position in Northampton, please submit your CV.