Desired outcome Chosen action/approach What is the evidence and rationale for this choice? How will you ensure it is implemented well? lead When will you review? A. Whole school attendance will move consistently above 96% monitored each half term Train staff on how to address poor attenders in class and in forms. “It is the responsibility of a school to provide a caring and stimulating ethos which promotes a positive culture and encourages good attendance” DfE 2013 Engage teachers and tutors with responsibilities regarding attendance Tutors given regular data on attendance. AA to visit Ashby School to see the impact they had on their PP attendance last term to “mirror” effective good practice. Subject Leaders to take lead on organising a curriculum to augment good attendance e.g advertising key lessons/planning assessments more strategically/saving the best lessons for times when attendance traditionally drops. 9th Nov Classroom Staff Training This was completed on the above date and now ongoing. Tutors are coaching attendees who are close to 95% and issuing rewards. Teachers and subject leaders had training about engaging reluctant attenders. AA talked to GS at Ashby school and we now plan to calendar time next year for tutors to be more engaged with attendance matters in the forms. Develop careers curriculum in Lifeskills to focus on Careers and the future linking in to Tutor Learning Time ASCL research has shown that “improving careers guidance to help pupils to work out what they want to do after they leave school, and demonstrate how coming to school will help them to achieve those goals” leads to improved attendance. Tutor Learning Time devoted to careers monitored and planned by specialists. Lifeskills Scheme of Learning is developed to promote need for good attendance for employment e.g “If you want to earn 20% more than the rest …” implemented by Lifeskills subject leader and monitored by SLT link. Tutor learning time focusing on attendance was successfully received and feedback from students was positive.
Desired Outcome Chosen action/approach To ensure all forms of communication are used to raise awareness of attendance issues In particular to develop MyEd so that it is used as effectively as possible in terms of attendance What is the evidence and rationale for this choice? Recent research from Todd Rogers at Harvard Kennedy and Avi Feller at Berkeley has evidenced that correcting parents’ biased beliefs about their child’s total absences compared with classmates has an appreciable impact on their child’s future attendance How will you ensure it is implemented well? Use my ed to make parents aware of what “classmates” typical attendance is so that they are aware how far out of step their child is. E.g has missed 15 days so far this term – His classmates have only missed 2. Billy’s attendance is significantly below … etc.” Meet with My Ed trainers to investigate the attendance message possibilities. Staff lead AG/GB/AA Review Letters about attendance are all now referencing classmates. 18th Oct Met with My ED to ensure that we can use it successfully to promote good attendance. To engage with parents more quickly regarding attending issues Parental engagement is fundamental in improving attendance Create a process of parental meetings based on the new Stages process – see below for an exemplar triggers for each half term. 22/23rd Jan We are doing these termly at the moment. One has happened and one in next 3 weeks. We managed to get in contact with most parents whose children were attending below 90%.
Targeted support Desired outcome Chosen action/approach What is the evidence and rationale for this choice? How will you ensure it is implemented well? Staff lead Review? Persistent Absenteeism of FSM and PP students will move in line with National expectations as seen in National Data from Dfe Monitor and mentor PP PA's more closely and build a positive relationship with parents/carers “The remaining challenge is to address the deep seated causes of persistent absence of a small minority of young people” ASCL AG to build positive relationships through Attendance Improvement Meetings (AIM) AG to support and coach identified poor attenders GB/AG The first set of meetings have taken place. More scheduled for before Easter. Desired Outcome Chosen action/approach What is the evidence and rationale for this choice? How will you ensure it is implemented well? Staff lead Review? Persistent Absenteeism of FSM and PP students will move in line with National expectations as seen in National Data from Dfe SLT House links to create positive relationships with PAs in their HOUSEs. ASCL attendance experts suggest “Awarding weekly prizes for good attendance, such as gift vouchers. Encouraging year groups to compete for the prize could motivate pupils across all age groups to encourage each other to come to school” Use of POP up rewards extended. Monitored at SLT meetings fortnightly AG to prompt and provide triggers for rewards or concerns SLT house links/AG The set of names have been successfully coached and rewarded. On the boundary of 90% in the first instance. This term we are picking up those students between 85 and 91%
Appendix – Draft Step AIM – Attendance Improvement Meetings. (AIM) Triggers Term 1 Triggers Term 2 Triggers Term 3 Intervention by Intervention Required Stage 1 0 – 5 sessions of absence in a term 0 – 10 sessions of absence in first two terms 0 – 15 sessions of absence during the year Reception Staff AG Tutor First Day Calling Rewards My Ed messages sent home triggered by each new absence after 10? Stage 2 6 – 10 sessions of absence in a term 11 – 19 sessions of absence in first two terms 16 – 23 sessions of absence during the year Reception Staff AG Ref to School Nurse as appropriate MW My Ed messages sent home triggered by each new absence Official Attendance letter 1 Attendance Improvement meeting is held with parents and carers, Amanda and ideally Form Tutor and an action plan is created and shared. Stage 3 11 – 15 sessions of absence in a term 20 – 28 sessions of absence in first two terms 24 – 27 sessions of absence during the year Reception Staff AG SLT House Link Ref to School Nurse as appropriate MW My Ed messages sent home triggered by each new absence Official Attendance letter 2 Attendance Improvement Meeting is held with parents and carers, AG and MW and an action plan is created and shared. 4 16 – 19 sessions of absence in a term 29 – 37 sessions of absence in first two terms 38 – 57 sessions of absence during the year Reception Staff AG Tutor SLT House Link Ref to School Nurse as appropriate MW GB My Ed messages sent home triggered by each new absence Official Attendance letter 3 Attendance Improvement Meeting is held with parents and carers, AG and GB/Governor (?) and an action plan is created and shared. Improved My ED attendance messages