Management Information Sheet
Persistent Absence
You are aware of the focus that has been placed on persistent absence (PA) for the past four years. At this time of year we would expect to be writing to Headteachers to advise them of the DfE focus for this academic year and whether a school has been identified as a priority school, including expectations of them.
Following the Election, the new Coalition Government has been reviewing all areas of education policy including attendance. We have been advised that the Government is firmly of the view that absence from school is unacceptable and all unnecessary absence must be prevented and tackled by schools but we do not as yet have information on the implementation of any policy, including the role of local and national targets. We are expecting Ministers will announce their plans in due course.
In the meantime schools are being expected to continue to work to reduce high overall absence, unauthorised absence and persistent absence, and have in place robust absence management strategies making sure that they identify and intervene early to prevent emerging patterns of absence - using all of the support available to them.
In Norfolk we still intend to have a focus on PA as part of our overall strategy to improve attendance. We have been pleased by the positive response from Headteachers and governors to our previous letters on this subject and are delighted with the significant improvement that has been made with PA since it became a priority.
As soon as we receive any further information we will write again to advise you but if there are any issues that you wish to discuss please do not hesitate to contact Val Creasy.
Following the Election, the new Coalition Government has been reviewing all areas of education policy including attendance. We have been advised that the Government is firmly of the view that absence from school is unacceptable and all unnecessary absence must be prevented and tackled by schools but we do not as yet have information on the implementation of any policy, including the role of local and national targets. We are expecting Ministers will announce their plans in due course.
In the meantime schools are being expected to continue to work to reduce high overall absence, unauthorised absence and persistent absence, and have in place robust absence management strategies making sure that they identify and intervene early to prevent emerging patterns of absence - using all of the support available to them.
In Norfolk we still intend to have a focus on PA as part of our overall strategy to improve attendance. We have been pleased by the positive response from Headteachers and governors to our previous letters on this subject and are delighted with the significant improvement that has been made with PA since it became a priority.
As soon as we receive any further information we will write again to advise you but if there are any issues that you wish to discuss please do not hesitate to contact Val Creasy.