The Department for Education (DfE) has introduced a new data tool aimed at enhancing attendance management across schools in England, including those in Solihull.
The initiative, designed to provide schools with insights into attendance trends, is in an effort to promote regular school attendance and support student achievement.
According to recent data from the DfE, there has been a noticeable improvement in school attendance across the West Midlands.
During the 2022/23 academic year, 42,100 more pupils attended school regularly compared to the previous year. Notably, years 5, 6, and 7 experienced a 5.7% increase in everyday attendance, equivalent to approximately 5,000 additional pupils attending school daily per year group.
Furthermore, 93% of local authorities in the West Midlands reported improvements in pupils attending school regularly.
The data also highlights progress in attendance among various student demographics. For instance, there has been an increase in attendance among children from disadvantaged backgrounds, with 800 more Free School Meal (FSM) children attending school daily per year group. Additionally, there has been a 1.2% rise in attendance among children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) per year group.
The introduction of the new data tool marks a significant development in England’s attendance strategy. By enabling schools to identify absence trends across different year groups and pupil characteristics, the Government have stated they want to empower educators to implement targeted interventions to improve attendance rates.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said:
“As the OECD has recognised, and thanks to our brilliant teachers and head teachers, England is leading the world in our approach to helping children return to the classroom.
“Attendance is my number one priority. Alongside schools, I am one of the only Education Secretaries in the world to now have in-depth daily attendance data at their fingertips, giving the government, councils and schools the insights needed to target pupils who need the most support.
“Being in school has never been more valuable which is why we need to stick to our plan to drive up attendance and ensure every child gets a world-class education.”
Rob Tarn, CEO of Northern Education Trust and the Government’s Attendance Ambassador, praised the new data tool for its potential to facilitate informed decision-making and drive improvements in attendance rates.
The launch of the data tool follows recognition by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) of England’s efforts to tackle school absence. The OECD report acknowledges the comprehensive nature of England’s attendance strategy and its potential to support student achievement.