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Secondary school attendance rises but still needs improvement

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Over the past five years, attendance in secondary schools has improved. Despite this improvement, absenteeism is still a concern in nearly a third of secondary schools inspected since 2010. Pupils that are persistently absent now account for a quarter of all absence.

Estyn’s report highlights the negative impact that school absence has on educational performance. The more classes pupils miss, the less likely they are to achieve. For example, only around two-fifths of pupils who miss between 10 and 20% of school time achieve 5 good GCSEs including English/Welsh and mathematics. However, pupils are not always referred to the Education Welfare Services unless their absence rate is over 20%.

Ann Keane, Chief Inspector, says,

“I am encouraged to see that levels of attendance have gradually improved. However, I would like to see pupil absence reduce further, especially the absence rates of pupils in vulnerable groups and those pupils eligible to free school meals, whose rate is nearly twice that of other pupils. Pupils eligible for free school meals are more likely to be persistent absentees and to underperform.

“Improving attendance has been a recommendation in nearly a third of secondary school inspection reports for the last four years. If pupils are absent from school then they cannot learn and are likely to fall behind.

“I propose that all schools, local authorities, parents and pupils continue to tackle attendance rates to help to ensure that standards keep improving.”

The report focuses on strategies and actions to improve attendance in secondary schools and local authorities. Inspectors found that most schools have clear strategic approaches to raising attendance; however, less than half of schools analyse well enough reasons why pupils miss school. These schools fail to analyse the data on attendance so that staff can target specific groups and individuals who have a pattern of absence from school.

Best-practice case studies in the report show how successful schools have engaged with pupils to make a difference. Cathays High School, Cardiff, identified the need to engage with the Czech and Slovak Roma communities to help to improve attendance. By working with parents, pupils and the communities the school successfully increased attendance rates and raised attainment levels.

‘Attendance in secondary schools’, contains a series of recommendations for schools and local authorities. Schools should make better use of attendance data, strengthen links with external agencies that assist in supporting families and engage more with pupils. Local authorities should provide schools with training and clear guidance on the correct use of attendance codes.

Notes to Editors:

About the report

This is the first of two reports in response to a request for advice on attendance from the Welsh Government in the annual remit letter to Estyn for 2013-2014 from the Minister for Education and Skills. This report focuses on strategies and actions in secondary schools and local authorities to improve attendance and the second will focus on primary schools. The report is available in full here.

Best practice case studies

  • Cathays High School, Cardiff
  • Fitzalan High School, Cardiff
  • Conwy local authority
  • Rhondda Cynon Taf local authority

About Estyn

Estyn is the Education and Training Inspectorate for Wales. Our aim is to achieve excellence for all in learning in Wales. We do this by providing an independent, high-quality inspection and advice service.

Our vision is to be recognised through the expertise of our staff as an authoritative voice on learning in Wales.

We are independent from, but funded by the Welsh Assembly Government (under Section 104 of the Government of Wales Act 1998).

For further information please visit our website www.estyn.gov.uk