Working Together to Improve School Attendance: A Collaborative Approach

The importance of attendance in school cannot be overstated. Attendance is not merely about students being physically present in the classroom; it is a crucial indicator of a school’s overall health and the wellbeing of its students. The Department for Education’s (DfE) guidance document, “Working Together to Improve School Attendance,” outlines a comprehensive approach for schools, local authorities, and other stakeholders to tackle persistence absence and improve attendance rates across the board.

Understanding the DfE’s Guidance on School Attendance

The “Working Together to Improve School Attendance” document emphasises that improving attendance is a shared responsibility that requires the collaboration of schools, local authorities, parents, and the wider community. It outlines several key areas of focus:

Early Identification and Intervention: The document stresses the importance of identifying attendance issues early. Schools are encouraged to monitor attendance closely, using data to spot patterns that might indicate underlying problems. Early intervention is crucial in preventing occasional absences from becoming chronic. The guidance recommends that schools have clear procedures in place to address absenteeism, including regular communication with parents and the use of targeted support strategies.

Clear Roles and Responsibilities: To effectively manage and improve attendance, the guidance defines the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders:

• Schools are responsible for promoting good attendance, monitoring individual student attendance, and engaging with parents to address issues.
• Local Authorities play a supportive role, providing resources and guidance to schools, and intervening when necessary, particularly in cases of severe or persistent absenteeism.
• Parents and Guardians are expected to ensure their children attend school regularly and to communicate with schools about any issues affecting attendance.

The document underscores the importance of collaboration between these parties, as each has a vital role to play in supporting students’ attendance.

Using Data to Drive Improvement: Accurate and timely data collection is at the heart of the DfE’s approach to improving attendance. Schools are advised to use data to monitor attendance patterns, identify at-risk students, and evaluate the effectiveness of their attendance policies. By analysing data, schools can make informed decisions about where to allocate resources and how to tailor interventions to meet the needs of their students.

Support and Intervention Strategies: The guidance outlines various support and intervention strategies that schools can use to improve attendance. These include:

• Whole-School Approaches: Creating a positive school culture where attendance is valued and celebrated.
• Targeted Support: Providing additional support to students who are struggling with attendance due to specific challenges, such as health issues or family circumstances.
• Legal Interventions: In cases of persistent absenteeism, schools may need to involve local authorities to take legal action, although this is considered a last resort.

The focus is on creating a supportive environment where students feel safe and motivated to attend school regularly.

Engaging Parents and the Community

Effective communication with parents and the wider community is essential for improving attendance. The document highlights the need for schools to work closely with parents to address any barriers to attendance, whether they are related to transportation, health, or other factors. Additionally, engaging with community organisations can provide additional support for families and help reinforce the importance of regular school attendance.

Implementing the Guidance: Practical Steps for Schools

While the DfE’s guidance provides a comprehensive framework for improving attendance, the challenge lies in its implementation. Schools need to translate these recommendations into practical actions that suit their specific contexts. Here are some steps schools can take:

• Audit Current Attendance Practices: Schools should begin by auditing their current attendance practices to identify strengths and areas for improvement. This can involve reviewing attendance data, evaluating existing policies, and gathering feedback from staff, students, and parents.
• Develop a Whole-School Attendance Strategy: Based on the audit, schools should develop a whole-school attendance strategy that outlines clear goals, roles, and responsibilities. This strategy should be communicated to all staff, students, and parents to ensure that everyone understands the importance of attendance and their role in promoting it.
• Establish Strong Communication Channels: Regular communication with parents is key to improving attendance. Schools should establish strong communication channels, using newsletters, parent meetings, and digital platforms to keep parents informed about their child’s attendance and any support available to them.
• Provide Targeted Support: For students who struggle with attendance, schools should offer targeted support tailored to their needs. This could include mentoring, counselling, or adjustments to the school day to accommodate specific challenges.
• Monitor and Evaluate Progress: Finally, schools should regularly monitor and evaluate their attendance data to assess the effectiveness of their strategies. This ongoing evaluation will help schools to make necessary adjustments and ensure that their approach to improving attendance is working.

How Evaluate-Ed Can Support Your Attendance Improvement Efforts

As schools strive to implement the DfE’s guidance on improving attendance, having the right tools and resources is essential. This is where Evaluate-Ed comes into play. Evaluate-Ed is a powerful platform designed to support schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs) in their self-evaluation and improvement processes.

With the upcoming launch of our new attendance review feature, Evaluate-Ed will empower schools to self-evaluate their current attendance provision, policies, and practices through a comprehensive Q&A set. It generates detailed reports that highlight both strengths and areas needing development. Schools can plan, assign, track, and monitor actions that drive improvement and increase attendance rates. By seamlessly integrating these insights with the overall school improvement plan, Evaluate-Ed ensures that attendance strategies are not developed in isolation but are part of a coordinated, holistic approach to school success.

For more information about how Evaluate-Ed can help your school, and to book a demo of our new attendance review feature, click here. Together, we can work to improve school attendance and provide the best possible education for all students.