Facing the challenge of a struggling school  

It is well known that in some parts of the country, schools face particular challenges. John Viner has beenworking with two re-brokered coastal schools and shares his experience of turning attendance round.

Time to review your exclusions practice?  

Statistics show that the number of exclusions is on the increase and is particularly worrying in relation to pupils with SEN. The publication of revised government guidance means schools should review their practice. Suzanne O’Connell outlines some of the main changes. 

Inspecting attendance: Understanding the process  

The inspection framework looks set to stay the same this year. Tony Powell reviews just what that means for those expecting Ofsted to call.

Free article: What is the link between absence and attainment  

It is common sense that if a child is off school for a long period of time, their attainment will suffer. However, can the same be said for a day’s or even a week’s holiday? John Viner examines the evidence for a link between attendance and performance.

Free article: Leading an ethos of positive behaviour and attendance  

 Steve Burnage discusses effective strategies to lead improvements in behaviour and attendance.

Free article: Improving standards through attendance  

Improving attendance is an important factor when it comes to raising standards. Headteacher Diane Compton explains how her team have made it intrinsic to school improvement.

Free article: Attendance: Analysing and presenting the evidence  

Tony Powell looks at how to analyse and present evidence of attendance to Ofsted.

Free article: The link between peer-group relationships and truancy and school absenteeism  

Professor Ken Reid, OBE, looks at how friends and acquaintances can influence pupils’ behaviour.

Analysing attendance for groups  

Tony Powell discusses some of the issues to consider when comparing attendance data on different groups within a school – as well as highlighting some of the potential problems for data users.

Inspecting attendance: guidance for inspectors  

Tony Powell explains what Ofsted will be looking for when inspecting attendance.

Improving attendance – sticks or carrots?  

Responsibility for attendance and behaviour is not just down to the school. DfE guidance is outlining even more clearly the punitive measures that schools can take against parents. But will they work?

Inspections and attendance data  

Steve Baker looks at why accurate registers are important, and how to present your data to Ofsted.

Improving attendance in secondary schools  

Steve Baker talks about his experiences of helping secondary schools improve their pupil attendance.

Early intervention: raising attendance in primary schools  

Barry Archibald looks at the impact of poor attendance on achievement of pupils, and strategies for raising attendance in primary schools.

Causes and potential solutions to persistent absence  

Ken Reid explains why the profiles of persistent absentees and truants have changed in the last 20 years.

What's new in school attendance?  

Ben Whitney looks at the latest developments in school attendance.

Every session matters — changes to attendance guidance  

On 1 March 2013 The DfE issued consolidated Advice on school attendance, which brings together several previous documents that are now obsolete. This article looks at what has changed and what every school needs to know.

Form – Comparing rates of exclusion  

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Checklist – Exclusion procedures  

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Checklist – Evaluating action to avoid exclusion  

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Checklist – Self-evaluation attendance checklist  

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Form - Comparing free school meals attendance and achievement  

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Checklist - Pupils and attendance  

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Form – Senior leadership key activity grid  

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Checklist – Senior leadership behaviour and attendance audit  

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Form - Data collection sheet: term-time holiday absence and its impact on attainment  

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Checklist – Evaluating action on attendance  

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Checklist - Evaluating attendance: involvement of parents and pupils  

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Table - Parental responsibility for attendance and behaviour - what can we use?  

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Handout - Truancy persistent school absenteeism and non attendance  

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Checklist - Evaluating attendance: quality of provision  

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Checklist - Evaluating attendance: levels of attendance  

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Checklist - Evaluating attendance: leadership and management  

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Form - Analysing attendance for groups in the school  

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Table - absence and attendance codes  

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Handout - attendance guidance  

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Form - Analysing attendance 3 year trend  

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Checklist - attendance  

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Handout - DofE Advice on school attendance  

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Q. The admissions system in our area seems to be at breaking point, with children with SEND and excluded children having difficulty finding placements. Must it always be the same schools that admit?  

A. It can seem as though some schools avoid taking the more difficult cases while others receive more than their fair share.

Q. Our LA seems to have stopped issuing penalty notices. Should I start to give leave of absence for holidays again?  

A. Since the High Court ruling in favour of Jon Platt there has been further confusion about what headteachers should do when approached about term-time holidays.

Q: It seems that so many government documents on behaviour and attendance emphasise the punitive. How can we work positively with our parents to improve attendance?  

A. Many people would agree with you that government documents tends to reinforce the same message; absence will not be tolerated and there are powers and sanctions that can be enlisted to tackle it.

Q: We have a pupil with serious health issues who keeps having time in hospital. All her absence is authorised, so it seems very unfair that she is classed as a 'persistent absentee'. Can we do anything about it?  

A. This is an issue often raised by schools and with the persistent absentee (PA) threshold under 90%, this is tough to achieve.

Q: A parent has asked the school for information about the number of students who have requested term-time holidays. They are asking this according to the Freedom of Information Act. Do we have to respond?  

Q. What exactly is meant by ‘exceptional circumstances’ when it comes to authorising absences?  

A. This has certainly attracted plenty of media attention and very strong views on both sides.

Q. Is there a new admissions code for schools and, if there is, what are the implications for us?  

A. You are right that there are some changes to the 2012 school admissions code, but these are described as being a ‘limited revision’ and do not require you to re-write your admission arrangements.