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Absence and attendance
8 articles
Absence data and expectations
- Attendance data: pupil referral units (PRUs) View the absence data for PRUs, including overall, authorised, unauthorised and persistent absence rates. Find out how dual registered pupils count in the data.
- Attendance data: pupils eligible for FSM Have a look at the national absence data for pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM) in state-funded primary, secondary and special schools. Compare this to data for pupils who are not eligible for FSM.
- Attendance: national, LA and school data Compare your school's attendance data to others locally and nationally, using our templates and summary of the data. We explain how the data is collected, and where you can find your own attendance data.
- Attendance: persistent absence threshold and statistics School-age pupils are persistent absentees if they miss 10% of sessions or more. Learn how to analyse your data and see the national statistics.
- Attendance: the legal requirements How many days a year can a child be legally absent from school? We set out the legal requirements relating to school attendance that apply to parents. You will also find information on when absence should be authorised, and when headteachers are permitted to authorise absence.
- Does the DfE set attendance targets? Does the DfE set attendance targets? The DfE does not set attendance targets. We relay information from the DfE and explain that the government lowered the threshold for persistent absence in 2015. We refer to attendance targets from schools and link to related articles from The Key.
- Persistent lateness Read on to find strategies for reducing persistent lateness. We also look at whether parents can be fined.
- Study leave for pupils Schools can grant study leave to students for public exams. Learn which absence codes to use, and whether study leave counts towards attendance figures. We also explain that schools should still make provision for pupils who want to come into school to revise.
6 articles
Authorised and unauthorised absence
- Absence and attendance in the sixth form Find out what you need to record in your register for sixth-form students. Learn about setting sanctions and whether you have to inform parents about students' absence.
- Absence requests for religious observance Make sure you know how to handle requests for absence from both pupils and staff during religious events. Also, find links to calendars of celebrations to keep on top of when you might see absence requests.
- Pupil leave of absence during term time Term-time absences can only be granted in 'exceptional circumstances'. This article includes a Parent Pamphlet setting out the rules on term-time leave. It looks at examples of exceptional circumstances from schools and links to DfE advice.
- Tackling unauthorised absence: fining parents Your school is legally entitled to fine parents if their children have poor attendance. Find out about when you can issue a penalty notice, and whether you can challenge LA decisions on penalty notices and prosecutions.
- Term-time absence: can we stop pupils going on holiday? Can we stop parents taking their children on holiday in term time? We explain that schools can refuse to authorise term-time absences, and can issue fixed penalty notices. One of our experts advises what schools can do when parents plan to take their children on holiday during term time.
- Traveller pupils: absence and attendance Must we authorise absences for Traveller pupils? We explain that the term ‘Traveller’ covers groups such as Roma and Gypsies, and look at legislation around attendance expectations for Traveller pupils. You will also find advice on when to authorise absence and which absence codes to use.
3 articles
Recording attendance
- Absence and attendance codes UpdatedSee which absence and attendance codes to use in different scenarios, with this at-a-glance breakdown.
- Attendance: closing registers It's up to you when to close your registers. See the official guidance on this, and what approaches schools have taken.
- Attendance register: statutory requirements Get clear on the rules for registering pupil attendance and absence, so you can keep your school compliant.
12 articles
Strategies for managing attendance
- Deprivation and poor school attendance Why do disadvantaged pupils tend to have higher absence rates than their peers? This article looks at research published by the Sutton Trust, the IoE and the DfE. It also links to The Key's articles on engaging reluctant parents and absence rates for pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM).
- Encouraging attendance in the EYFS Encouraging good attendance in the EYFS supports good development and helps identify safeguarding and welfare concerns early. Use our checklist to help you write your absence and non-attendance policy, and get guidance on addressing non-attendance.
- Flexi-schooling: guidance Can 'flexi-schooling' arrangements be put in place? We look at whether children can be educated both at home and at school, and what schools should consider before agreeing to requests. You'll also find advice on responsibility for the achievement of flexi-schooled pupils and recording attendance.
- Improving attendance: audit and tracking sheets Download our KeyDocs for tracking and auditing attendance. You'll also find tips on monitoring attendance from a local authority (LA) representative and our associate education experts.
- Improving attendance: plans and case studies (primary) Are there ideas for improving attendance in primary schools? We relay a range of guidance on cost-effective strategies for improving attendance and look at what other primary schools have done to reduce absence rates. You will also find examples of action plans for boosting attendance from schools.
- Improving pupil attendance (secondary) Read advice on creating a culture of attendance in school. Learn how to identify underlying causes of absence and choose the right strategies to meet pupils' needs.
- Improving pupil attendance (special) Improving pupils' attendance in special schools can be a challenge, particularly where it's affected by their medical conditions. Learn how to identify underlying causes of absence and choose the right strategies to meet pupils' needs.
- Improving the attendance of pupils eligible for pupil premium funding How can we raise attendance of pupils eligible for the pupil premium? We cite two case studies from schools that have raised attendance for pupils eligible for pupil premium funding. You will also find suggestions from one of our associate experts.
- Parenting contracts for poor attendance Is there any information on parenting contracts? This article looks at guidance on parenting contracts, and at some proformas. It covers when to use parenting contracts, drawing them up, and dealing with breaches.
- Persistent school refusal: guidance When a pupil persistently refuses to come to school, your next steps will depend on the individual pupil. Read this article for information about what to do next, and how to plan for supporting the pupil back into attending school.
- Reduced timetables for pupils Get to grips with reduced timetables (also known as part-time timetables). Find out when you can use them and what you need to consider before, during and after you've introduced them.
- Research into how attendance can impact attainment Read summaries of research and find links to case studies on improving attendance.