Resources for Schools

The importance of regular school attendance has never been greater following the Covid-19 lockdown which caused significant disruption to the education of children and young people across the country, and the impact for families continues to be felt far and wide today. The DfE attendance guidance itself could not have a more meaningful title as working together across our schools, local authority services and with wider partners to help overcome barriers to children’s attendance is pivotal to achieving positive impact.

The KCC school attendance handbook, primarily designed for schools breaks down into greater detail the ‘Kent way’ of implementing the guidance, and what we are all expected to do in line with existing national guidance and legislation. The handbook also includes reference to other related subjects such as exclusions where there has also been updated guidance published by the DfE. You will find an array of links to informative resources throughout the document.

KPAS has designed a job description for a Senior Attendance Champion in a school to outline key duties based on the DfE guidance and recommendations in relation to local processes and practice.

As an alternative to producing a one size fits all model attendance policy, KPAS has created a checklist to aid schools who may need to revise their policy to align it to expectations set out in the Department for Education’s working together to improve school attendance guidance

KPAS has created a checklist to help schools align their practices with the DfE Working together to improve school attendance guidance:

The document below details at what stages KPAS may become involved and the intervention that may be provided to try to improve a pupil’s attendance:

KPAS has created some guidance for schools when considering facilitating an attendance contract as referenced in chapter six of the Department for Education’s working together to improve school attendance guidance:

The DfE Working together to improve school attendance guidance places an expectation on local authorities to facilitate Targeting Support Meetings (TSMs) with all schools. KPAS has created a terms of reference which provides guidance on good practice when holding TSMs based on DfE guidance and recommendations from KPAS Officers based on experience with TSMs over the past two school years:

The leaflet below is for parents to promote their child’s regular attendance, and schools may wish to provide copies to parents or share on their social media.