Advice for schools - reviewing current attendance and persistent absence figures
Department of Education Statistical Release
In March the Department of Education released the attendance statistics for England for 2015/16. Warwickshire’s attendance for compulsory school age pupils (years 1 to 11) was 95.7% which is 0.3% above the National Average. In the last 4 academic years Warwickshire’s attendance has improved from joint 51st in 2012/13 to joint 22nd in 2015/16.
The DfE reports the data of reception children separately. Warwickshire’s attendance for reception children was 95.4%, which was 0.6% above the national average. This was an improvement on the previous year from joint 34th to joint 12th.
In 2015 the DfE reviewed the level at which pupils were defined as Persistently Absent (PA) and the methodology used to calculate this. Pupils are no longer defined as PA based on a number of sessions they have missed but when they have missed 10% of their possible attendance. For example, if a pupil is only on roll for 50 days (100 sessions) and misses 5 days or more they would be deemed as PA for that academic year.
Due to this methodology change the PA levels across England have risen. However during 2015/16 Warwickshire’s PA levels were 1.3% below the National Average at 9.2%.
Attendance in 2016/17
The Attendance, Compliance and Enforcement Service (ACE) has identified a drop in attendance during the autumn term 2016 which has continued in many schools during the spring term, with schools reporting an increase in absences due to illness and holidays. Currently data is not available to compare this to national trends.
It is therefore advised, if it has not already been done, that schools review their current attendance figures and PA levels in direct comparison with the last 2 years and, where appropriate, collate the required evidence on how the drop in attendance is being addressed or how the school will maintain any improvement. It is also advised that similar comparisons are made for vulnerable groups as this evidence may be invaluable in the future, especially if you are expecting an Ofsted visit.
The Supreme Court outcome
The Supreme Court has decided that ‘regular attendance’ means that a child must attend school on every day that they are required to do so. Failure to do so for any period of time from half a day upwards will be considered as a breach by parent(s)/carer(s) of Section 444 of the Education Act 1996, and they will therefore have committed the offence of ‘failing to ensure that their child attends school regularly’. The Supreme Court makes clear that it is up to local authorities to have a ‘sensible prosecution policy’ which considers when to issue penalty notices.
The court’s decision did not change the law concerning head teacher decision making, which remains that a leave of absence should only be granted in ‘exceptional circumstances’.
If you have any queries in relation to Leave of Absence you can contact the Attendance, Compliance and Enforcement Statutory Helpline which is free to access.
Helpline number for Leave of Absence queries only: 0845 1550990. Open 8.30am to 12.30pm term time only.