Course Overview
This training programme is designed to equip newly appointed Attendance Leads or staff with the knowledge, skills and confidence to establish a robust and impactful attendance culture. Participants will develop practical expertise in applying national guidance, interpreting data, building whole-school strategies and leading early intervention to improve attendance outcomes for all pupils.
The course reflects the principles set out in the Working Together to Improve School Attendance (DfE, 2024) and integrates current research on pupil engagement, inclusion, and belonging.
Why Attend?
By the end of this course, participants will:
- Understand legal and statutory expectations around attendance
- Be familiar with DfE guidance and compliance checks
- Learn how to use key data tools (e.g. View Your Attendance reports)
- Identify strategic cohorts (PA, SA, margin data bands)
- Design and implement a graduated whole-school attendance response
- Communicate confidently with parents and staff about attendance
- Use absence data to inform support and challenge
- Have effective day to day processes in place which build to a school stepped approach to improving attendance and punctuality.
- Develop a cycle of impactful actions each term.
- Prepare attendance narratives for governors, Ofsted and wider stakeholders
What will it cover?
- Policy & Legislation Statutory registers, coding, DfE expectations, safeguarding link
- Culture & Ethos Building attendance into school identity, pupil belonging, staff modelling
- The Graduated Response Identify barriers-Support–Support–Challenge model, from first response to NTIs
- Attendance Data Deep Dive View Your Data reports, registration certificates, margin bands, forensic tools
- Strategic Leadership & Team Building Roles and responsibilities, staff CPD, accountability structures
- Parent Communication & Escalation Letters, texts, scripts, partnership working,
Evaluating Impact. Evidence tracking, governor reporting, preparation for inspection
Who should attend?
Newly appointed Attendance Leads/ Pastoral Leads/Senior Leaders with Attendance Oversight /Attendance Officers/Attendance admin
Course frequency
Three sessions. Staff should attend all three. sessions
Cost
£ 300
All costs are subject to VAT. Failure to cancel or non-attendance will incur costs. All cancellations must be completed online at www.sil-ltd.co.uk at least 48 hours in advance.
Testimonials
“This course was really engaging and helpful. It was linked to current research and I would highly recommend to colleagues.”
“Thorough and in-depth. Lots of practical advice!”
"Expert advice both far-reaching and individual to our group"
