Our Approach to Attendance
Our aim is to help every young person connect, re-engage, progress and successfully transition to their next stage of education, training, or employment.
To do this good attendance is important.
At Educational Diversity we understand that barriers to attendance are complex, and that some pupils find it harder than others to attend school; therefore, we will continue to prioritise cultivating a safe and supportive environment at school, as well as strong and trusting relationships with pupils and parents.
We take a whole-school approach to securing good attendance and recognise the impact that our efforts in other areas – such as the curriculum, behaviour standards, bullying, SEND support, pastoral support, and the effective use of resources such as pupil premium – can have on improving pupil attendance.
We are committed to:
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Promoting and modelling high attendance and its benefits.
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Ensuring equality and fairness for all.
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Intervening early and working with other agencies to ensure the health and safety of our pupils.
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Building strong relationships with families to overcome barriers to attendance. Working collaboratively with other schools in the area, as well as other agencies
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Ensuring parents follow the framework set in section 7 of the Education Act 1996, which states that the parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause them to receive efficient full-time education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude, and to any SEND they may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.
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Ensuring our attendance policy is clear and easily understood by all staff, parents and pupils.
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Regularly monitoring and analysing attendance and absence data to identify pupils or cohorts that require more support.
Our Ethos, Expectations and Values
At Educational Diversity we recognise that many of our pupils have previous poor attendance and prior to joining us may have faced situations which have meant that they have not been able to engage in regular school attendance.
For each pupil the barriers they face may be personal and unique to them but often include disengagement in learning, social issues, mental health, wellbeing or health needs.
Frequently Adverse Childhood Experiences, undiagnosed SEND medical needs are identified by staff as a pupil starts with us.
Pupils may experience Emotional Based School Avoidance or lack confidence to attend our provision. To support all pupils, bespoke Provision Plans, linked to our Pathways model, and timetables are developed when required. However, at all times we encourage pupils to attend and review these regularly to increase attendance in a timely fashion.
Working Together
We work with other agencies to support students and their families. We also refer students and their families to relevant services such as Counselling/Early Help/CAMHS etc.
Promoting Regular Attendance
At Educational Diversity, we believe in developing good patterns of attendance and set high expectations for the attendance and punctuality for all our pupils from the outset. It is a central part of our school’s vision, values, ethos and day-to-day life. We recognise the strong connections between attendance, attainment, safeguarding and wellbeing. For our children to gain the greatest benefit from their education it is vital that they attend regularly and be at school, on time, every day the school is open unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable.
Our Senior Lead for attendance is our Deputy Headteacher, Kathryn Bastow and our Attendance Officer is Dave Ratcliff and can be contacted via each centre. (or email: - enquiries@eddiversity.seteducation.org.uk).
All staff, parents/carers and pupils will be expected to contact the attendance officer for queries or concerns about attendance.
Our expectations across Educational Diversity are simple and consistent:
Be Ready. Be Safe. Be Respectful.
Attendance Expectations
At Educational Diversity we have high expectations for pupils’ attendance and punctuality and will ensure that these expectations are communicated regularly to parents and pupils.
Pupils will be expected to BE READY and:
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Attend school every day they are required to be at school, for the full day or their agreed times.
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Attend school punctually.
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Attend every timetabled lesson.
Absence Procedures
Parents/carers and pupils should contact our Educational Diversity Admin team about absences on a day-to-day basis. The contact details are:
Athena:- 01253 476663
Atlas/Alternative Provision: - 01253 476661
Pegasus: - 01253 476660
email:- enquiries@eddiversity.seteducation.org.uk
Absences can also be reported on the Arbor Parent App
Support
For support from our Attendance Officer or members of our Pastoral Team please contact the centre your child attends.
You can also contact our Pupil Welfare Officer via our Attendance Officer.
As a school we have committed to becoming an EBSA Friendly School, which we achieved in Summer 2026.
Through this training we also have access for parents/carers to this training
Family Horizons Online Course and Resources for Parents and Carers
Whether your child is struggling with morning routines, experiencing anxiety about school, or no longer attending, you're not alone on this journey.
Family Horizons is a supportive online course designed specifically for parents and carers like you. We understand that every child's experience is unique, and that supporting a child with school attendance difficulties can be challenging and sometimes overwhelming.
What you'll gain:
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Understanding of your child's experience with school attendance difficulties
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Practical strategies to support your child and family's wellbeing
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Tools for working effectively with schools
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Ways to support your child's anxiety
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Connection with other families' experiences
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Resources and activities to use with your child