Coventry’s local authority is set to examine pupil presence at schools throughout the area as part of fresh efforts to address truancy levels. The objective involves pinpointing youngsters who are regularly absent from lessons and providing assistance to those students and their households to boost attendance figures. The council’s Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee convened to endorse proposals concerning an assessment of educational presence across Coventry.
The panel agreed that the Cabinet Member responsible for Education and Skills – presently Cllr Dr Kindy Sandhu – would assist staff members in analysing existing information to identify groups of students experiencing or at risk of prolonged unexplained absence in order to determine appropriate swift measures to help those young people and families.
Members also supported a suggestion to direct services toward preventive action and key transition periods in accordance with plans outlined in the Every Child Achieving and Thriving government document alongside other initiatives including the Belonging Approach and Best Start in Life. Transition periods encompass the shift from infant and junior schools to secondary education, a phase when certain pupils’ attendance can deteriorate due to altered routines involving unfamiliar teachers and fresh subjects. This frequently results in difficulties preserving connections established between educators and families during primary school years.
Secondary schools frequently lack the casual family involvement observed in primary environments, which can influence attendance levels and the assistance provided to susceptible learners, committee members were informed.
A working group has already gathered to investigate all explanations for pupils not arriving at lessons and how documentation is maintained, covering approved and unapproved absences, exclusions, modified schedules and correspondence with guardians.
A subsequent session examined non-attendance throughout the autumn term and received testimony from the headteacher at All Saint’s Primary School regarding cultivating connections with households, addressing unexplained absences, imposing penalties, cultural factors, and assisting youngsters with intricate requirements.
The committee is seeking a belonging strategy created collaboratively by council staff and school leaders where connections between teachers and pupils affected by non-attendance continue throughout the move from primary to secondary education.
Proactive measures have been highlighted as crucial for strong attendance. Additional funding could be allocated towards early childhood learning to assist children who may be susceptible to developing regular absence patterns, while parental assistance could be provided considerably earlier to prevent serious problems arising from youngsters missing school.
The function of family support personnel linked to educational institutions is also under consideration so they can establish confidence and tackle attendance obstacles more successfully.
The committee has requested a further update in twelve months’ time to assess advancement.