In response to increasing concerns over school attendance following the COVID-19 pandemic, Nottinghamshire County Council has unveiled its “Improving School Attendance Strategy” for 2024-2027.
The report, to be presented to the Cabinet by Councillor Sam Smith, Cabinet Member for Education and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), sets out a plan to address rising absenteeism across the county.
Sharp Rise in Absenteeism Since the Pandemic
Historically, Nottinghamshire boasted lower-than-average absenteeism, with an overall absence rate of 4.5%, consistently below the national average. However, the disruptions caused by the pandemic have reversed this trend, with the latest figures showing a sharp increase in school absences. During the autumn and spring terms of the 2023-24 academic year, the overall absence rate soared to 6.9%, a significant jump from pre-pandemic levels.
Even more concerning is the rise in persistent absence, which refers to students missing 10% or more of the school year. Before the pandemic, the county’s persistent absence rate hovered around 9.6%. Now, it has more than doubled, with the most recent data revealing a staggering 18.4% persistent absence rate during the 2023-24 academic year.
Impact on Vulnerable Students
The report highlights that certain groups of students are disproportionately affected. Pupils eligible for free school meals, those with a social worker, and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are particularly vulnerable, showing much higher rates of persistent absenteeism. The strategy aims to provide targeted interventions for these at-risk groups, ensuring they receive the support they need to stay in school.
A Strategic Approach to Tackle the Crisis
The Nottinghamshire Improving School Attendance Strategy has been developed in consultation with a wide range of partners, including the Healthy Families Team, Education Psychology Service, Children’s Social Care, and the Youth Justice Services. Its core aim is to bring the county’s overall absence and persistent absence rates back down to pre-pandemic levels of 4.5% and 9.6%, respectively.
The strategy outlines several key actions, including:
- Enhanced Data Use: Schools, academy trusts, and the council will work together to improve the tracking of absenteeism, targeting resources to areas and groups where absenteeism is highest.
- Governance and Reporting: The creation of robust systems to monitor attendance will ensure accountability across schools and local authorities.
- Early Intervention: For families struggling with persistent or severe absenteeism, early help will be provided to avoid legal interventions, in line with the council’s “Support First” principle.
- Communication Campaign: A public campaign will be launched to educate families on the importance of regular school attendance for their child’s development, wellbeing, and safety.
- Targeted Support for Vulnerable Students: Special efforts will be made to engage pupils who are more likely to miss school, including those with SEND, those under Child in Need and Child Protection plans, and those involved with the Youth Justice system.
- Collaboration with Schools: The council will support schools through attendance at Partnership and Fair Access Panel Meetings, while also encouraging the sharing of best practices through termly network meetings.
- A School Attendance Charter: To foster a multi-agency approach, a new charter involving schools, health services, and the police will be introduced to promote attendance across Nottinghamshire.
A Collaborative Effort
The strategy emphasises collaboration across multiple services to ensure its success. As stated in the report, “the ambition is to reduce overall and persistent absence rates in Nottinghamshire to below pre-pandemic levels.” The council is committed to working with schools, academy trusts, and families to achieve these goals.
Commenting on the strategy, Councillor Sam Smith said, “For our most vulnerable pupils, regular attendance is not only critical for their education but also serves as a protective factor against external harms. By being in school regularly, children and young people are in the best environment for their needs to be identified and supported.”
Challenges and Financial Implications
One option considered by the council was to avoid developing a full strategy. However, the report concluded that without a strategic approach, it would be difficult to make significant progress in reducing absenteeism. Fortunately, the implementation of the strategy does not require additional financial resources, according to the report.
Moving Forward
With the government placing increasing emphasis on improving school attendance, Nottinghamshire’s new strategy is both timely and necessary. By taking a collective and strategic approach, the council hopes to reverse the post-pandemic decline in attendance and ensure that every child in Nottinghamshire has the opportunity to succeed through regular school attendance.
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