Exams Officer

Job Description

Exams Officer

Red Balloon of the Air (RBAir) provides online face-to-face academic and therapeutic programmes for young people aged 9-18 who are out of school because of trauma. Students are encouraged to make decisions and gradually take control of their own learning, thereby building their self-confidence so that they can return to appropriate mainstream education, training or employment.

The students at RBAir often join the programme following very difficult experiences with peers, educational professionals, mental health or community services, and/or their families. Many students will arrive with diagnoses of mental illness, such as anxiety, depression, school phobia, self-harm, intrusive thoughts, difficulty sleeping, and/or anhedonia. The extent to which young people are able to work through the effects of trauma, and build their confidence and self-esteem is fundamental to their future prospects and opportunities, as well as their educational attainment at RBAir.

Role outline

This role is a key part of our provision to ensure smooth running of exams. It incorporates GCSE and other academic qualifications as well as ECDL and ASDAN. We currently have 15 students per year sitting academic qualifications at KS4, and a larger number undertaking ECDL throughout the year, and this number is expecting to increase overtime. Some students take exams in other schools across the country as private candidates. This role could be extended to incorporate access arrangements testing.

RBAir follows a concept of “shared confidentiality”, which is essential to its provision, allowing a multi-disciplinary approach to student care. Shared confidentiality must be delivered in accordance with GDPR and relevant RBAir policies.

Creativity, flexibility and commitment are required, as RBAir develops to meet the needs of more young people.

Accountable to: Education Manager

Liaisons: exam boards, teachers, other schools, SENCo, Education Manager, mentors

Specifics of role:

• to coordinate with subject teachers to prepare exam entries;
• to coordinate with schools to ensure students not in Cambridge can take exams elsewhere;
• to ensure ULN and UCI numbers are collated;
• to liaise with the SENCo for student accessibility plans;
• to complete exam entries for all boards and all other administration for the exam period;
• to ensure we meet all data protection / privacy obligations for students;
• to register and administer ECDL exams for students across the year;
• to coordinate between teachers and ASDAN;
• to provide exam timetables to students;
• to provide training to invigilators;
• to coordinate exam invigilation;
• to keep abreast of changes to exam procedures to ensure we meet all our legal obligations
• to work closely with other staff to ensure that GCSE results are shared with pupils in an appropriate, timely manner with follow up support for all students as needed

RBAir staff requirements

• To safeguard and promote the welfare of students;
• To abide by the philosophy and practice of Red Balloon;
• To foster good working relationships with colleagues across Red Balloon;
• To attend staff meetings and in-service training (INSET);
• To provide feedback to commissioners and parents/carers as required;
• To undertake professional development.

Performance indicators

• the smooth running of examinations in accordance with statutory requirements

Person Specification

Education and experience

• QTS or other teaching qualification preferable;
• exams officer training;
• experience of handling a variety of access arrangements;
• previous exams officer experience within a school or educational environment

Attributes and personal qualities

• suitable to work with young people, to include an enhanced DBS check;
• excellent written and spoken communication skills;

General Information

Red Balloon is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people, and expects the appointee to commit to its policies and philosophy. All work performed/ duties undertaken must be carried out in accordance with red balloon philosophy, and government legislation. Post holders will be expected to be flexible in their duties, and to carry out any other duties commensurate with the position that fall within the general scope of the job, as requested by RBAir. The nature of this role and its evolving status may lead to additions to the above responsibilities, as agreed by the appointee. The position is subject to two satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check. Red Balloon is an equal opportunities employer.