Attendance

Solihull Alternative Provision Multi Academy Trust aims to support regular and high standards of attendance and punctuality across our provisions. In doing so we have regard to the statutory guidance published by the Department for Education (DfE) entitled Working Together to Improve School Attendance (July 2026) which can be found via the link herewith Working together to improve school attendance: July 2026.

Working Together

We are committed to working in partnership with parents, carers, pupils and professionals to promote excellent attendance and punctuality. By working together, we can ensure that every pupil has the best opportunity to succeed.

For every pupil that joins Solihull Alternative Provision Multi Academy Trust, we aim to improve their social and emotional wellbeing to allow them to re-engage with their education and Learning. In doing so, pupils will be supported by our dedicated staff to prepare for life beyond school and securing positive destinations. Our overall aim is to engage pupils with their education and prepare for adult life ensure that every pupil can access their education and achieve their full potential.

We expect pupils to attend school regularly, this helps pupils develop a strong sense of belonging within the school community, supports their academic progress, and enhances their social and emotional wellbeing. It also helps establish the routines, resilience, and life skills that are essential for success both during their education and in their future careers and adult lives.

Solihull Alternative Provision Multi Academy Trust work colligatively across each provision and with our local authorities therein to monitor attendance closely. We will contact parents/carers regarding any concerns about a pupil's attendance. Where absence becomes a pattern or falls below expected levels, we will work in partnership with families to listen and understand the barriers that may be reducing attendance and so that we can facilitate the appropriate support.

Parents/Carers may be invited to attend meetings to discuss your child's attendance. Your involvement is important in helping us identify and address any barriers to regular attendance and ensure that formalised support is in place. We appreciate your cooperation and partnership in achieving the best possible outcomes for your child. Flexible meeting arrangements are available and can be discussed if needed.

What the Law Says

All children of compulsory school age must receive a suitable full-time education. For most parents, this means registering their child at a school. Although some parents choose to make other arrangements to provide a suitable, full-time education.

Once your child is registered at Solihull Alternative Provision Multi Academy Trust, it is the parent/s legal duty to ensure their child attends that school regularly. This means their child must attend every day that the school is open, except in a small number of allowable circumstances such as being too ill to attend or being given permission for an absence in advance from the school.

Where irregular attends persist despite all other avenues being exhausted and support is not working or not being engaged with, we may consider taking steps to enforce attendance through statutory intervention and the local authority.

The Importance of School Attendance

School attendance is not merely a legal requirement but also a fundamental pillar of education playing a pivotal role in shaping academic success, personal growth, and future prospects, making it an indispensable aspect of any young person’s educational journey. Regular school attendance will support -

Academic Achievement: The DfE publish data that illustrates regular attendance directly correlates with academic success. Pupils who attend school consistently are more likely to keep up with the curriculum, perform better in exams, and improve their life outcomes.
Knowledge Acquisition: School is where children acquire knowledge and skills that are crucial for their personal and professional growth. Missing days means missing out on valuable learning opportunities.
Social Development: School provides a vital social environment for children and adolescents to interact with peers, develop friendships, and learn essential social skills. Consistent attendance ensures children remain connected to their peer group and develop a sense of belonging.
Building Routine: School attendance establishes a structured routine in children’s lives, teaching them time management and responsibility, which are valuable life skills.
Teacher Interaction: Regular attendance allows for meaningful teacher-child interactions. Teachers can provide personalised support, address questions, and assess individual progress more effectively when children attend regularly.
Preventing Knowledge Gaps: Frequent absences can lead to significant knowledge gaps, making it challenging for children to catch up with missed lessons, potentially resulting in long-term academic struggles.
School Engagement: Children who attend school regularly are more likely to engage in extracurricular activities, sports, and other enriching experiences that contribute to their overall development.
Legal and Parental Responsibility: Parents or guardians are legally responsible for ensuring their child's regular school attendance. Failing to do so could lead to legal consequences.
Community Well-being: High levels of school attendance contribute to the overall well-being of communities.