haringey.gov.uk Attendance – what governors need to know 2 nd February 2016

haringey.gov.uk By School Year Secondary PrimarySecondary Source: School Census: Sept 12- April 13 All absence

haringey.gov.uk Reasons for Absence by School Year AuthorisedUnauthorised Source: School Census: Sept 12- April 13

haringey.gov.uk

1996 Education Act Section 7 “The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him/her to receive efficient full-time education suitable:- to his/her age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs he/she may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise”.

haringey.gov.uk Registers Admission register and attendance register Registers are legal documents Are parent contact details correct? Basis of good attendance management Accuracy of register codes used?

haringey.gov.uk Punctuality When is registration? Do parents know this? When do registers close? How is this coded? Sanctions?

haringey.gov.uk Holidays Hot issue for the media – Isle of Wight case New rules introduced in September 2013 “Exceptional” circumstances not “special” circumstances What is an exceptional circumstance? Head teacher’s discretion

haringey.gov.uk Reward Systems What is a reward system? Costs? Attendance displays Attendance assemblies Parents evenings

haringey.gov.uk Challenge and Escalation Attendance policy Pupil absence: Initial actions Register/absence patterns Reasons for absence – register codes “Ladder of escalation” & partners Formal enforcement process

haringey.gov.uk Fixed Penalty Notices When to issue Local code FPN cost Legal implications Unpaid fines?

haringey.gov.uk Prosecution 1996 Ed Act s444(1) “If a child of compulsory school age who is a registered pupil at a school fails to attend regularly at the school, his parent is guilty of an offence” 1996 Ed Act s444(1A) “the parent knows that his child is failing to attend regularly at the school and fails to cause him to do so, he is guilty of an offence”

haringey.gov.uk Deletions Missing children When can you delete from registers (10 day rule and 20 day rule) School checks LA checks

haringey.gov.uk Governors Questions for the Headteacher What is the overall level of attendance & PA? Does the school have an Attendance Policy and when was it updated? How is it communicated to parents? Who are the PA pupils? i.e. SEN, CIC (LAC), Behavioural needs. What resources are in place to support them and how frequently are they monitored? What strategies/interventions does your school use to improve attendance? How is the impact of these interventions measured and how often reviewed? Are all staff aware of their responsibilities regarding attendance in school and is there a senior member of staff allocated to attendance?