Issue - meetings

(a)          That the attendance data for Flintshire schools and the actions undertaken by officers to support schools to improve levels of engagement be noted; and

(b)          That an interim report be brought to the committee in September, to include detail on persistent absenteeism, review and audit, service improvement, support for schools and mental health and well-being. 

            The Senior Manager firstly introduced Mr John Grant (Senior Learning Advisor - Engagement, Inclusion & Progression Service) who provided an outline to committee of his experience.  He was welcomed by the Chair and Committee Members. 

The Senior Manager presented the report which provided information on the attendance levels across Flintshire schools. It was noted that illness accounts for the majority of absences and that the levels of persistent absenteeism remained comparatively high.

            The Senior Learning Advisor added that ensuring school attendance was difficult as there had been an increase in the number of pupils presenting with mental health problems who did not engage in school and that CAMHS colleagues were involved supporting these pupils.  He explained the service was looking to be more flexible and responsive to the children’s needs and that understanding the challenges would enable a long term plan to be progressed.  He then referred to a Head Teachers Conference where colleagues had discussed and acknowledged the pressures involved.  He referred Members to Appendix 1 of the report.

Mr Hytch referred to term time holidays and asked if it was legal to authorise them and how robust were the figures and questioned the quartile attendance figures which could move from green to red if many pupils caught the flu.  With regard to secondary education he asked if non-attendance figures included a child’s inability to cope with the education provided and could this pressure cause absence due to mental health.   He felt that modifying the curriculum did not always work and that it was the next layer down from special needs that required support.  He also asked if the Health Service was equipped to support this.

            Councillor Hughes referred to unauthorised absences and agreed absences for family holidays and asked how many were repeat offenders?  He understood WG guidance was for 10 days approved leave and that holidays were cheaper in term time even if parents factored in the penalty.   The Chief Officer endorsed this comment saying it was very difficult, especially in secondary schools, for a child to catch up with their education but that these occurrences were more frequent in primary than secondary schools.   The Senior Manager added that officers work with Head Teachers to give them the confidence to challenge parents.  It was a different situation if a child was repeatedly away from school due to illness but that Heads were now challenging parents to provide medical evidence.

            The Chief Officer agreed with Mr Hytch’s comments on quartiles but said that this was a small percentage.   She also reported that she had met Head Teachers to discuss budgets for a range of needs.  The Senior Manager advised that positive relationships were in place with CAMHS colleagues and advised on a range of services that were being considered by health to support pupils with mental health.

Mrs Stark referred to Table 5 (Reasons for authorised absence) and felt reason C was very high and asked if the codes were missed and why the illness level had reduced.  In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43