Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Accepted
Paragraph: 20
Mandate schools' participation in the daily attendance data dashboard as soon as possible.
Recommendation
We welcome the daily attendance data pilot, the Department’s intention to mandate schools’ participation, and to replace the School Census. Given that around 80% of schools have been successfully using the dashboard over the last academic year, for consistency, we recommend the Department make use of the dashboard mandatory as soon as possible, subject to a successful evaluation of the pilot and addressing any remaining concerns about data management, in conversation with the Information Communications Office.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation and intends to introduce regulations to mandate daily attendance data sharing for all state-funded schools no sooner than September 2024, subject to further engagement.
Paragraph Reference:
20
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government welcomes the Committee’s recognition of the value of timely attendance data, the progress that has been made in implementing the daily data pilot, and its important potential role in driving improved attendance. The Department agrees with the recommendation of ensuring 100% of state-funded schools are sharing their daily attendance data so that there is greater consistency and schools, local authorities, and academy trusts are able identify trends, monitor vulnerable cohorts, and provide more targeted support. The benchmarking tool also helps identify best practice which can then be shared with others around the country to help them improve. It is the Department’s intention to introduce regulations to mandate participation no sooner than September 2024. Mandating the collection is subject to continued work and engagement with the Department’s STAR Chamber data scrutiny board, the Information Commissioner’s Office and the schools sector, as well as the usual parliamentary procedures.