On 18th April 2024 the NNPCF attended the Working Together to Improve School Attendance event. The presentations covered how important attendance is for our children and young people, particularly highlighting the importance for the most vulnerable and SEND pupils. The pride and enthusiasm from those presenting and in the room about the progress that has been made in national policy, moving away from a penalty system to one of support first, which works with the child and young people and their families. It was openly acknowledged that there is still much do to support and improve attendance level, and the attendance team continue to be ambitious about what can be achieved.
The updated guidance on attendance applies from 19th August 2024 and can be found here: Working_together_to_improve_school_attendance__applies_from_19_August_2024_.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
One of the Expectations of schools is “be clearer on the link between improving attendance and wider school culture, including the importance of working in partnership with families to find supportive routes to improve attendance.”