1.         To receive the latest qualified exclusion data and the views of those children who have been excluded.

2.         To receive an update on the new Local Authority Attendance Duties and Home Education.

3.         To receive an update on children on a part time timetable or on roll but not attending children, children educated other than at school (EOTAS) and children educated through Alternative Provision.

(Note: Rachel Setter (Divisional Director of Learning and Partnership Hubs) and Dan Hamer (Head of Vulnerable Pupils) have been invited for this item.)

Members considered the submitted report which provided details of absence from schools in Autumn to Spring 2023/2024.  This included details on the levels of exclusion and suspension, number of Electively Home Educated (EHE) children and young people, school attendance and number of children on part time or who were educated other than at school (EOTAS).

The Sub-Board asked questions in relation to 75% of exclusions being children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), 88% of those were primary age, does that not demonstrate that their needs were not being met by mainstream school, as well as 8.3 children per week leaving school; does the Attendance Officer link into the Family Hubs to reinforce to parents how important school was; how many children who become EHE had poor attendance; what impact has the Attendance Officer meetings had (a written update was requested around the attendance work and penalties especially for those educate other than at home (EOTAH) and from the most deprived communities and what was being done to support those children); how had the knock-on impact of Covid-19 been addressed; how was evidence gathered on the impact of the roles introduced; and was there any data on absence during exam seasons for children with SEND (a written update on the data to see if there was a link with the exam aged students and absence was requested).

It was noted that Mayfield School had made new provision after school in term time with the Head Teacher and SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services) with parents coming to the sessions and booking space to talk to SENDIASS reaching at least seven parents a week.  It was suggested the voluntary sector could help provide some play activities for children whilst their parents speak to professionals.

Members were informed that a number of children on part time timetables were following an improvement journey and had previously been coded incorrectly and were not attending school.  This resulted in improved attendance.  Work was being undertaken in the Family Hubs to help families get ready for school, in 0-5 early years settings and at families’ homes especially around speech, language and communications, but the impact of this work would not be seen for a few years.  This needed to be rolled out to Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 with primary schools in deprived areas being targeted first.  The impact of the Attendance Officer and Early Help Panel was to work with families and to help understand the barriers to attendance and to work with them.  Penalties had a mixed impact and if a school puts in a claim and the parent was engaging with early help, they do not have to pay the penalty.

It was noted that some schools had embedded a graduated response to attendance and it was working well and needed to be rolled out to all schools. 

Members were advised that when a child was excluded from a primary school support was provided to families to get their child into a suitable primary school, with the Local Authority having to direct schools in some cases and to provide wrap around support around reintegration.  Following a second exclusion they would likely to be placed at Mayfield Chestnut Centre and then look at alternative provision.  As a partnership they discuss disruption around attachment.

It was noted that there was a need to go through the data to understand fully the reasons behind why parents elect to home educate their children.  Looking at parental confidence and if children’s needs were being met.

Resolved (unanimously):

1.       that future reports include the number of children coming off a part time timetable; and

2.       that the Director of Children’s Services be requested to explore with partners, including the voluntary and community sector, what support parents might need to enable discussions with professionals about attendance.