Using assessment to support attendance in schools can be a powerful tool to identify and address issues that may lead to absenteeism. Effective assessment practices can help practitioners identify the underlying causes of poor attendance, monitor student progress and implement targeted interventions.

Identifying At-Risk Students

Data Analysis: Regularly analyse attendance data to identify patterns of absenteeism. Look for students with frequent absences, late-coming or patterns that indicate emerging issues.

Predictive Indicators: Use predictive indicators such as previous attendance records, academic performance, attainment and behaviour tracking to identify children and young people who might be at risk of chronic absenteeism.

Holistic Assessments

Academic Assessments: Monitor academic performance to identify children and young people struggling in their coursework. Academic difficulties can be both a cause and a consequence of poor attendance.

Behavioural Assessments: Track behavioural assessments to identify children and young people who may be disengaged or exhibiting signs of social or emotional issues that could lead to absenteeism.

Supporting Student Engagement

Formative Assessments

Use formative assessments to provide continuous feedback to children and young people, helping them stay engaged and feel supported in their learning journey.

Adjust learning and teaching based on assessment results to meet individual student needs, making learning more relevant and engaging,.

Pupil Voice and Choice

Involve children and young in their own assessment processes, allowing them to set goals, track their progress and reflect on their learning. This involvement can increase their investment in school and improve attendance.

Incorporate children and young peoples interests into assessments and learning activities to make school more engaging and relevant to their lives.

Tailoring Interventions

Targeted Support

Develop individualised intervention plans based on assessment data to address specific barriers to attendance. This could include academic support, counselling and/or adjustments in the school environment.

Use assessment data to allocate resources effectively, ensuring that support services such as tutoring, mentoring and/or mental health counselling are directed to students who need them most.

Parental Involvement

Use assessment results to communicate with parents/carers about their child’s progress and the importance of attendance. Provide actionable steps parents/carers can take to support their child’s attendance.

Engage parents/carers in the assessment process by sharing data and involving them in creating attendance improvement plans.

Monitoring Progress and Adjusting Strategies

Ongoing Monitoring

Conduct regular assessments to monitor the progress of children and young people with attendance issues. Adjust intervention strategies based on ongoing assessment results.

Continuously track attendance data alongside academic, wellbeing and behavioural assessments to identify any changes and respond promptly.

Feedback and Reflection

Encourage children and young people to reflect on their attendance and academic progress. Use assessments to help them understand the impact of attendance on their learning.

Teachers should also reflect on assessment data to identify successful strategies and areas needing improvement in their approach to supporting attendance.