Sharing Best Practice to Secure Good Attendance

Since the pandemic, pupil absence has become a priority both for schools and nationally. Join this webinar to gain insights from innovative schools and exchange ideas and strategies with peers.

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Are you concerned about the attendance challenges that schools are facing, and eager to explore solutions?

In education consistent attendance is crucial. This webinar brings educators, and experts together to share effective strategies for boosting school attendance. Through discussions, presentations, and idea-sharing, we’ll provide you with practical knowledge and tools to create a positive attendance culture that supports student success.

Benefits

You will have the opportunity to take a step back and reflect on your current practice and learn about successful strategies that you could adapt for your setting.

Format

We will start with a brief update from Colin Logan, senior education lead at SSAT and a recent Ofsted inspector, on current trends, the new approach to attendance from Ofsted, the implications of the DfE’s review of attendance and the latest research.

You will then hear from senior leaders from two schools that have adopted a whole-school strategy to improve attendance: Harriett Dukes, assistant headteacher at Ricards Lodge High School, Wimbledon and Simon Warburton, principal of Ely College, Cambridgeshire.

At Ricards Lodge, their attendance strategy is founded on linking attendance, behaviour and family engagement. The key to success has been close tracking to provide targeted support, a streamlined approach to the work of senior leaders, heads of year, the education welfare service and most importantly a holistic approach to forming positive relationships with families.

There will also be a breakout session in small groups which will give colleagues the opportunity to ask each other questions, share ideas and plan future collaborative activity.

Who is it for?

Headteachers, deputy and assistant heads, pastoral leads, school business managers in Secondary schools – anyone with a strategic responsibility for attendance who wants to hear what other schools are doing to improve school attendance.

Host information

Colin Logan, Senior Education Lead, SSAT

Colin has worked at five large comprehensive schools as a languages teacher, head of department and faculty, deputy head and finally headteacher. He is a recent Ofsted inspector and was a senior adviser in the National Strategies in the data and evaluation team. Colin joined SSAT in 2011 and is a senior education lead with responsibility for data, accountability and inspection.

Read more about the importance of school attendance

Why attendance matters

School attendance has obviously had a strange few years. For many months attendance became about being present online – a face in a sea of boxes on screen. Teachers reacted creatively and skilfully, high quality learning was delivered against the odds.

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Working together to improve attendance

Nic Harrison, senior education lead at SSAT, highlights ways in which schools can improve their attendance based on his own unique experiences.

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