How can schools improve attendance? This is a question that many administrators, teachers, and parents are asking. While there is no silver bullet answer, there are some things that schools can do to help improve attendance. In this blog post, we’ll explore some research on this topic and offer practical suggestions for what schools can do to improve attendance.
Attendance
Poor school attendance has wide-reaching implications beyond the obvious issues of lack of learning and development; when a child has lousy attendance, their parents will eventually be fined.
Absence without a mitigating reason can lead to fines for those responsible for the child’s education; this is due to Ofsted regulation’s best deed to ensure an equitable system where every child’s rights are respected.
Schools, too, must improve poor attendance by having a good Student Attendance Plan to demonstrate to Ofsted that they have taken action should a negligence case arise.
The underlying principle is that all our children receive the proper support and resources needed for academic success. Ultimately, schools and parents must work constructively together so that both are not guilty of acting negligently in such vital matters.
Regular Attendance Schedule
Ensuring that children stick to a regular attendance schedule is a great way to ensure their attendance and engagement at school. A day-to-day routine can provide structure and security so children know what is expected of them and when.
By setting clear expectations related to attendance, the school opens up an opportunity for positive discipline and improvement rather than waiting for problems to arise due to inconsistency.
Additionally, having a schedule you can rely on helps create trust between students and faculty and makes it easier for parents to plan around important events throughout the year.
A regular attendance schedule is also vital in allowing parents enough time to have conversations with their children about what they are missing in class and if there are any absences or late arrivals.
Getting Parents Involved
Parental involvement has a substantial positive impact on a child’s educational pursuits. Studies show that children whose parents are actively involved in their education are more likely to attend school regularly and perform academically.
There are several ways for parents to engage in the learning process, such as attending parent-teacher meetings and helping their child with homework or special projects at home.
Additionally, encouraging your child to set goals and offering rewards for reaching them can help motivate them. You don’t need to be an expert to ensure your child is succeeding in the classroom!
All it takes is encouraging regular attendance, keeping track of their school performance and talking daily about what they are learning in class. Your interest can make all the difference in ensuring your child receives a quality education.
Make Activities More Engaging
Making school activities more engaging and fun could help improve students’ attendance, who may find traditional classroom learning dull and uninspiring. Beyond formal lectures and textbooks, schools should focus on organising enjoyable activities that combine learning with play.
For instance, arranging field trips to nearby zoos or museums can allow students to observe how their knowledge is applied in multiple contexts and make learning more enjoyable.
Furthermore, allowing students to work together on projects through technology-enabled classrooms could get them excited about exploring new ideas, researching topics, and gathering facts.
Creating a stimulating environment is necessary for school attendance rates to improve, as it would incentivise budding minds to stay actively engaged in their studies while also having fun.
Offer Incentives
Offering incentives for good attendance is a great way to reinforce the importance of being at school. Children who are rewarded for their consistent presence at school benefit from improved attendance and gain self-confidence and responsibility for showing up every day.
Many schools reward children with certificates or small gifts for their commitment to attending class.
This provides recognition and reinforces the idea that regular attendance is an expectation that should be met, which will be beneficial in the long run for both students and educators alike.
Work With Students
Working with students who are regularly absent can be an essential preventative measure for chronic absenteeism. To effectively address the underlying cause of a student’s absences, it is crucial to talk to the student to understand why they are missing class.
This could involve speaking directly with them and their parents and educators in other settings like administrators, teachers, after-school mentors and counsellors.
Through these conversations, it is possible to uncover potential roadblocks that may impact the student’s attendance, such as a lack of transportation or health issues they face.
Once the root cause of the absenteeism is determined, educators can then develop plans of action – tailored to the individual’s needs – to reduce future absences and get the student back on track.
Complete Welfare Checks
It is crucial that when a child has not attended school for a week or two, the school completes welfare checks to ensure their health and safety. These checks are paramount in ensuring that students are safe and meet their basic needs.
School administrators should take this seriously, as not doing so can lead to various issues, many of which can be potentially dangerous for the student.
Furthermore, it is essential to remember that the number of days absent from school does not necessarily dictate whether or not a child is at risk – assessments should be done regardless for every case.
Financial and familial stability and personal health should continually be assessed individually if absenteeism is frequent or worrisome.
Good attendance is crucial to a child’s academic success. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your students have the best chance at success both in and out of the classroom. Do you have any other suggestions for maintaining good attendance? Let us know in the comments below!
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FAQ
How do schools complete welfare checks on persistent absentees?
Schools should contact the parent or caregiver to check the student’s well-being. This can be done through phone calls, emails, home visits, or other methods of communication. It is vital to assess their physical health and any potential financial or familial issues that may be causing the prolonged absence.
What incentives should be used to encourage better attendance?
Rewarding students for achieving good attendance is a great way to reinforce the importance of being at school. Schools can offer certificates, gifts, or even extra privileges as incentives for regular attendance. These rewards can be tailored to individual student needs and will provide recognition and motivation to attend class daily.
