Agenda item

(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 response the Senior Manager said the additional post in the service would look at the data to gain a better understanding on this and that the C codes included the impact on mental health especially in secondary schools.  The Senior Learning Advisor provided background to the data led approach and said WG were reviewing all codes currently in the All Wales Attendance Framework.  Mrs Stark was concerned for the individuals if this was driven by statistics.

Councillor Jones commented a lot of the children who were unable to cope with the curriculum were premature babies and asked if parents could be given the right for those children to start school later, at their due date rather than birth date, it should be parental choice.   The Senior Manager replied saying in some cases discussions would be held with parents of children who were very young in year to facilitate this where appropriate.  She advised that stage not age was an integral part of the new curriculum which should be a positive development for these pupils and the success will be how schools implement this.

Councillor Gladys Healey referred to page 28 saying it was not only the gypsy/traveller children but also the children from different nationalities speaking more than one language who needed support to understand the difficulties they encountered at school.   The Senior Manager was very proud of the excellent service provided by the gypsy/traveller and English as an Additional Language service which went beyond school assisting with health appointments for example.  In Flintshire there were 43 languages spoken and there was support in schools for these pupils.

Mrs Lynn Bartlett referred to page 35 of the report Table 6: (Persistent Absenteeism) and said these were the parents and pupils where more focus was required.  The Chief Officer said putting pressure on schools did not help and WG recognised this now.  Estyn Inspectors stipulated to stop absenteeism there was a need to understand the problem in schools.

In response to a question from Mr Hytch regarding persistent absenteeism, the Senior Manger confirmed that the figure quoted was the percentage of all absences that were deemed to be persistent.

Councillor Geoff Collett asked how the percentage absentee was defined.  It was confirmed it was attendance below 80%.  Councillor Ian Smith asked how one day would show to which it was confirmed it would be shown as two sessions (morning and afternoon) with one week equating to 10 absences.

            Mrs Stark asked when this would be expected to come back to committee.  The Chief Officer confirmed data was collated annually but an interim report could be brought to Committee in September and include detail on persistent absenteeism, review and audit, service improvement, support for schools and mental health and well-being. 

The recommendation outlined within the report was moved by Councillor Kevin Hughes and seconded by Councillor Gladys Healey.

RESOLVED:

(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.