Absence and attendance

Contents

  1. Absence data and expectations
  2. Authorised and unauthorised absence
  3. Recording attendance
  4. Strategies for managing attendance
  • Attendance: national, LA and school data
    Compare your school's attendance data to others locally and nationally, using our summary of the data and templates. Learn how the data is collected and how to make your own data tables using the DfE website.
  • Attendance: the legal requirements
    Parents have a legal responsibility to send their child to school. Read on for guidance on authorised absence and learn what to do if pupils aren't attending.
  • Study leave for pupils: requirements and guidance
    Find out if you can grant study leave and what you need to consider when granting it for pupils in year 11, 12 and 13. Plus, learn which absence codes to use, and whether study leave counts towards attendance figures.
  • 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 due to religious events. Also, find links to calendars of celebrations so you can keep on top of dates when you might see absence requests.
  • Pupil term-time absence: what you need to know
    Term-time absences can only be granted in 'exceptional circumstances'. Know what factors you need to consider when deciding whether a circumstance is 'exceptional' and making a judgement around how long the pupil needs to be away from school.
  • Attendance register: requirements and guidance
    Be clear on the rules for registering pupil attendance and absence, so you can make sure your school is compliant. Find guidance on when to close the register, and see what approaches other schools take.
  • Attendance reintegration plans
    Support pupils to improve their attendance with our template reintegration plan. Get guidance on how to work with the pupil and their family to create an effective plan that's tailored to the individual's barriers to attendance.
  • Flexi-schooling: guidance
    Get to grips with flexi-school arrangements. Find out what to consider before agreeing to a request for one and what to include in an agreement with parents.
  • How to improve sixth form attendance and behaviour
    Get expert advice to help you improve attendance and behaviour in the sixth form. Read a case study to find out how a sixth form improved standards of attendance and behaviour.