INSET: Improving Attendance Starts in the Classroom

How Every Adult Can Help Pupils Attend, Engage and Thrive

Improving attendance is everyone’s responsibility.

Improving attendance is about much more than registers, procedures and follow-up calls. The most successful schools understand that improving attendance begins with pupils’ daily experiences of learning, belonging, relationships and success.

This practical and engaging INSET programme explores how teachers, teaching assistants, form tutors, pastoral staff and leaders can all contribute to improving attendance through high-quality classroom experiences and a culture where pupils feel valued, supported and motivated to attend.

The course moves beyond traditional attendance interventions to focus on what every member of staff can do to foster engagement, strengthen relationships and remove barriers to attendance. Participants will leave with practical strategies for improving attendance that can be implemented immediately within their own roles.

Why Improving Attendance Matters

Persistent absence continues to be one of the greatest challenges facing schools. Whilst attendance systems and interventions remain important, sustainable success in attendance levels is most often achieved when pupils feel connected to their school community, experience success in learning and develop positive relationships with staff and peers.

The course reflects the principles outlined in the Department for Education’s Working Together to Improve School Attendance guidance and helps schools translate national expectations into practical classroom and pastoral approaches.

Schools that are successfully increasing attendance recognise that every interaction matters. From form time and classroom teaching to pastoral support and enrichment activities, every member of staff has a role to play in encouraging pupils to attend regularly and engage fully in school life.

Who Should Attend?

This course is suitable for:

• Teachers
• Early Career Teachers (ECTs)
• Teaching Assistants
• Form Tutors
• Heads of Year
• Pastoral Staff
• Attendance Teams
• Learning Mentors
• Family Support Workers
• SEND Staff
• Middle Leaders
• Senior Leaders

Suitable for primary, secondary, special and all-through schools.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the training, participants will:

• Understand the factors that influence attendance and persistent absence.
• Identify practical strategies for increasing attendance through everyday practice.
• Explore the relationship between curriculum engagement and attendance.
• Strengthen pupils’ sense of belonging and connection to school.
• Understand how positive relationships support attendance and wellbeing.
• Develop classroom and pastoral approaches that encourage regular attendance.
• Recognise barriers facing vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils.
• Contribute to a whole-school culture focused on improving attendance.

Improving Attendance Through Engagement and Belonging

Understanding Attendance Challenges

• Current attendance trends
• Common causes of persistent absence
• Identifying attendance barriers

Improving Attendance Through Classroom Practice

• The connection between engagement and attendance
• Creating learning experiences pupils value
• Supporting motivation, participation and success

Improving Attendance Through Relationships

• Building trust and belonging
• Supporting vulnerable learners
• Creating an inclusive school culture

Improving Attendance Through a Whole-School Approach

• Consistency across staff teams
• The role of teachers, support staff and pastoral teams
• Developing a culture that promotes excellent attendance

Benefits for Schools

Following this INSET, schools will be better equipped to:

• Increase attendance across the school.
• Increase pupil engagement and participation.
• Strengthen relationships between pupils and staff.
• Promote a greater sense of belonging.
• Support vulnerable learners more effectively.
• Reduce barriers that contribute to absence.
• Develop sustainable approaches to attendance.

Available As

• Whole-school INSET day
• Half-day INSET
• Twilight training
• Trust-wide professional development programme

Improving attendance is not the responsibility of one individual or team. It is the result of every adult creating a school where pupils feel welcomed, engaged and inspired to attend every day.

enquiries@jmcinset.com