Charlie Taylor identified the problems to do with attendance as being located in the pattern of non- attendance which is built up in the early years by parents. He suggests that the majority of who are taken to court for bad attendance are in Years 10 and 11 by which time, ‘it is often too late for prosecution to solve the attendance problem.’
He recognises that much of the pattern is as a result of families not valuing education. He criticises the focus on unauthorised absence and primary schools for authorising term-time holidays.
His recommendations include:
- That the language of Government concentrates more on improving attendance
There is less use of the word ‘truancy’.
That Ministers focus on improving the attendance of vulnerable pupils in primary schools.
That the Government changes the focus, when talking about attendance, away from unauthorised and authorised absence, towards making overall absence and persistent absence the headline figures to discuss
publicly.
That apart from for Year 11, national statistics on attendance are produced for the whole year, not just up until half term in the summer.
That consideration is given to whether there needs to be changes in what data is collected and how study leave is recorded in Year 11 and to the implications of raising the participation age.
That changes are made to the pupil registration regulations to strengthen the rules on term time holidays. While head teachers should continue to have discretion, holidays in term time should be the exception rather than the rule.
That data on attendance in reception is published along with local and national averages and this is considered when Ofsted inspects.
That Ofsted sets specific, timed targets for improving attendance in schools where it is low.
That all primary schools analyse their data on attendance and quickly pick up on children who are developing a pattern of absence.
That primary schools focus on supporting parents in nursery and reception who are failing to get their children to school.- That the system of fines is changed so that parents first receive a fine of £60. If they
fail to pay within 28 days then the fine should double to £120 with the money being recovered directly from child benefit if it isn’t paid.
Children’s social care services should work with schools to address underlying difficulties Academy chains, sponsors and individual schools should be allowed to prosecute pupils’ parents for poor attendance.
Michael Gove has indicated agreement with Charlie Taylor’s recommendations and it is likely that they will be implemented following the required legislation.
For the full review: ‘Improving attendance at school’ Charlie Taylor, (2012) is available from: http://media. education.gov.uk/assets/files/ pdf/t/improving attendance at school.pdf