Attendance is everyone's business

Even before term started, a number of schools have had to deal with the confusion and fall-out associated with RAAC. ADCS remains in conversation with government and we have urged them to ensure there is a clear focus on vulnerable children so that they are supported and safeguarded. Local authorities have a key role here to help coordinate local responses but DfE must have a much clearer communication strategy so that everyone is kept updated and can prepare accordingly. There will be a lot of learning from the early stages of the pandemic that can be drawn on.

Aside from RAAC, those of us who work in or with schools will be keeping a close eye on attendance and making sure children are in school on the first day of term. I was fortunate enough to attend a meeting at 10 Downing Street this week for the government’s Attendance Action Alliance to discuss how we can all help tackle rising levels of absence in our schools. This is rightly a priority for national government, but also for local authorities who have a key role in overseeing attendance patterns across their area. Recent attendance figures from the last academic year outline the significant challenge we face as we collectively try to tackle the worrying rates of absenteeism and persistent absence across the country. This requires a whole system response with all partners providing the right support to meet children’s needs.