Improving Attendance in School

* good attendance is a basic pre-requisite of raising achievement
=> improvements in standards of education at school can be achieved only if children are attending regularly
* there a wide range of factors which affect attendance, but also that the diverse nature of schools has to be taken into account when tackling the issue of attendance
* Each school has its own characteristic pattern of attendance which is dependent on the nature of the school community and the school itself. To improve attendance schools must understand their existing pattern of attendance and the reason for it
* Key points for consideration in attempting to improve attendance:
› A developing and appropriate curriculum.
› Support mechanisms for teachers in dealing with disruptive students.
› Strategies for monitoring post registration truancy are monitored and reviewed.
› Attendance and punctuality are given a high profile throughout the school.
› Issues of attendance and punctuality are incorporated into the whole school merit system.
› All staff share responsibility for attendance matters.
› Attendance recording systems are constantly reviewed.
› The school partnership with the education welfare system is based around focussed meetings.
› Clear school policies on attendance and punctuality are developed and communicated to students and parents.

Reference:
Improving attendance at Leek High School.