Committee:
18th October 2007 / AGENDA ITEM 6
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE 2006/07
1.0 Matter for consideration
1.1 The Committee to consider the School Attendance 2006/07 Report.
2.0 Recommendation(s)
2.1 To note the attendance levels at Blackpool Schools and the initiatives
and multi-agency strategies in place to improve the levels of attendance.
3.0 Information
3.1 All children of compulsory school age must receive a suitable education. Parents and carers are legally responsible for ensuring that this happens. Schools and the Children’s Services Authority are responsible for the regular and accurate marking and monitoring of attendance registers, which are a legal documents. Data can be collated and analysed to inform practice, and to report to various Local Authority bodies and to the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF).
3.2 Blackpool was identified in 2006/7 as a Priority Local Authority in respect of persistent absence. This priority status was assigned to Blackpool as it had 5 secondary schools in priority for persistent absence, Priority status has now been lifted by the DCSF for the current year 2007/8. However four of our high schools remain as Priority schools with regard to persistent absence. (Pupils with less than 80% attendance representing 10% or more of that school’s pupil population). These pupils are identified and individual action plans to improve attendance are made by the school, with the support of the Pupil Welfare Service.
3.3. The Pupil Welfare Service – now part of Targeted Services, is a key agency in supporting schools, families and young people with issues around poor school attendance. The move to Targeted Services strengthens the commitment to ensure that school attendance is a corporate responsibility, and the message that it should be high on the agenda of all those working with children and young people.
3.4 Performance
Attendance in Blackpool has improved over recent years. The Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) are amending the way in which attendance data is collected and these changes will continue into the next year. However comparing the official DCSF annual returns for primary schools (5 half terms) we can see that 21 schools have improved with one school remaining static. Eight of our primary schools achieved an attendance of over 95%. There are challenges with a small number of primary schools and these are being addressed by the PWS in respect of additional support and closer working with the schools. Secondary school attendance figures have for year 06/07 been released by the DCSF for the Autumn and Spring term. We can see a slight improvement of 0.15% in attendance with a direct comparison to the same period in the previous year. Attendance has increased by 0.1%. Whilst this is less than the national improvement, it does represent an overall improvement in an area with challenging circumstances. We have our own analysis of attendance data for the first two terms 06/07 and these are enclosed in Appendices 6 (a-b). The DCSF will be issuing a comprehensive analysis of attendance data later in October.
3.5 Legal Proceedings
The Education Act firmly places responsibility for school attendance with the parent/carer. The Pupil Welfare Service will always aim to work with the parent and carer, involving other agencies where appropriate to improve their child’s attendance . Court Meetings of Concern are multi agency meetings with parents, child and schools, to produce an action plan to award Court orders and improve attendance. These are arranged for every case where schools, parents, pupils and other agency representatives have met with the Pupil Welfare Service to discuss issues affecting school attendance and plan strategies to address any difficulties. Cases were only submitted to court in circumstances where parents had failed to co-operate with the Service, and there had been no improvement in their child’s attendance. During the year 2006/7 108 summonses were served on parents in respect of their child’s poor attendance at school. In addition there were 6 breaches of parenting orders. Parenting orders are issued by the Courts following a prosecution under Section 444 of the 1996 Education Act. A parenting order gives the parent an opportunity to attend parenting classes and also to receive support and advice on a one to one basis.
3.6 Initiatives
The fast track to positive outcomes initiative that started a number of years ago continues to operate effectively in our secondary schools and also in selected primary schools. In addition we have successfully launched a ’50 Day attendance’ initiative in a secondary school and are currently running a similar initiative in another priority school. All pupils with 100% attendance during the period receive a ‘WINNER’ wristband and a raffle ticket for a major prize. After half term 2 primary schools, where attendance has dropped will, in conjunction with the Pupil Welfare Service, be launching a similar ‘40 day ‘ competition.
· The Pupil Welfare Officers continue to support attendance around SATS by visiting the homes of all absent pupils just prior to the examination.
· Truancy sweeps continue to be a regular feature of the work of the Pupil Welfare Service. Twenty-five were held during the school year 06/07. Conducted with partner agencies they can have a significant impact in returning pupils to school who may be vulnerable, and have a safeguarding function in identifying children and young people new to Blackpool who have yet to seek a school place.
· ‘Late gates’ operate in many primary schools when Headteachers have concerns regarding punctuality. Parents are spoken to in the school playground by the PWO as to the reason why their child is late, and to ascertain if any support is required. Research shows that children late for school may later become non or poor attendees so this is a very pro-active approach to the problem.
· A truancy hotline is available for members of the community to ring a free phone number to report either individuals not attending schools, or areas of the community where young people meet during school hours. Information from this is collected and acted upon on a daily basis.
4.0 Witnesses / representatives
4.1 As requested by the Committee, the following officer has been invited to attend the meeting to speak on the matter:
· Sheila Sutherland, Assistant Director, Targeted Services
Relevant officer:
Sheila Sutherland, Assistant Director, Targeted Services
Tel: (01253) 477601, e-mail
Appendices attached:
Appendix 6 (a): Attendance Autumn 06/07
Appendix 6 (b): Attendance Spring 06/ 07
Background papers:
None
Websites and e-mail links for further information:
www.blackpool.gov.uk
Glossary:
DCSF - Department for Children Schools and Families
PWO - Pupil Welfare Officer
PWS - Pupil Welfare Service