Agenda item

The Head of Virtual School will be in attendance to deliver the presentation.

The Head of Virtual School provided an update regarding attendance and suspension for Looked After Children in respect of the autumn term 2024.

The following matters were raised/ discussed:

• Good school attendance was defined as attending school at least 95% of the time.  This meant that a student should not have missed more than 10 days in a school year.  High attendance rates were crucial because they were directly linked to academic success and overall well-being. 
• The difference between authorised and non-authorised attendance was key.  It was indicated that further work was required with schools to understand how this was being managed.
• The overall attendance for all statutory school aged Looked After Children from 1          September to 22 November 2024 was 86.2%.  8.1% of absences were authorised; 5.8% of absences were unauthorised.  Overall attendance by key stage was: KS1 – 94.5%; KS2 – 97.8%; KS3 – 85.6%; and KS4 – 70.3%.  The issue of attendance in Middlesbrough had been recognised and work was taking place to address it.
• A Member queried whether attendance changed in the period between a young person entering and leaving care.  In response, the Board heard that attendance on the whole did improve; statistics would be provided. 
• Permanent exclusion of Looked After Children was considered a last resort due to the significant impact it could have on their education and well-being.  National guidance encouraged schools to work closely with social workers and virtual schools to provide support and prevent exclusions whenever possible.  Although there had been four occasions where a child had come close to exclusion this year, no Middlesbrough Looked After Child had been excluded for seven years.  Nationally in 2022/23, 50 Looked After Children had been excluded.  The Board heard that an inclusion strategy was in place to assist with exclusion and suspension issues.
• The Board heard that more vulnerable children with HCP were more likely to be suspended.  Safeguarding training for designated teachers had been undertaken.  Members discussed the multiple roles that designated teachers may have had - the Head of Virtual School indicated that this would be raised at a future Annual Virtual School Conference.   
• A Member referred to mental health in respect of school-age females and queried whether dialogue could be opened with this age group to determine why they felt they were being excluded.  The Head of Virtual School advised that this would be looked into.
• Work had been taking place in respect of SEND and ensuring that inclusion priorities had been identified and supported.

The Chair thanked the Head of Virtual School for the information provided.

AGREED that:

1. The Head of Virtual School would look at the possibility of providing  statistics to show the change in attendance figures of young people before entering care and then afterwards as a care experienced young person.
2. In relation to school exclusions and the deterioration of mental health in schools, particularly amongst girls, the Head of Virtual School would look into the suggestion of asking pupils why they felt they were being excluded.
3. The information, as presented, was noted.