SIMS Alternative Provision Marking

[Seaanyx]

Hello,

 

We are currently investigating the best possible way as a School to record the attendance of Students that are at alternative provisions. They are currently being coded as a 'D' for Dual Registration however we would like to keep a record of their attendance to produce an overall percentage to chase any attendance issues if necessary.

 

Currently, we are ringing out daily to the alternative provisions, chasing their mark and inputting it on a shared document, also recording a comment on SIMS.

 

How do you, as other Schools, record their attendance?

 

Is there an easier way?

[bobsmith]

legally you're doing it correctly.

 

If they are present at the alternative provision then they are coded "D" (which doesn't count one way or the other against your attendance).

 

If they are absent then you can mark them as absent at your end.

 

technically the alternative provision should be able to provide you with % attendance figures if they are recording the attendance for you.

[Seaanyx]

legally you're doing it correctly.

 

If they are present at the alternative provision then they are coded "D" (which doesn't count one way or the other against your attendance).

 

If they are absent then you can mark them as absent at your end.

 

technically the alternative provision should be able to provide you with % attendance figures if they are recording the attendance for you.

 

Thank you for the response. One query that I have is that if we mark the Student as absent on our end when he has full 'D' marks, then our attendance will drop?

 

Also, the Student will appear to be in two different provisions.

[Seb1780]

Thank you for the response. One query that I have is that if we mark the Student as absent on our end when he has full 'D' marks, then our attendance will drop?

 

Also, the Student will appear to be in two different provisions.

 

The current code of practice clearly states the attendance should only be recorded at the school the child is expected to attend, but schools should communicate to ensure unexplained absences are investigated.

 

School_attendance_July_2019.pdf

[Seaanyx]

The current code of practice clearly states the attendance should only be recorded at the school the child is expected to attend, but schools should communicate to ensure unexplained absences are investigated.

 

[ATTACH]55712[/ATTACH]

 

That is great, thank you for the reply.

 

Is there no software out there that helps you track attendance of alternative provision Students?

 

We are currently using a google drive document to track all 'D' coded Students daily to ensure we have up to date marks.

[bobsmith]

I stand corrected and will now have the fun job of amending some of our Dual roll kids.

 

Code D: Dual Registered - at another educational establishmentThis code is not counted as a possible attendance in the School Census. The law allowsfor dual registration of pupils at more than one school. This code is used to indicate thatthe pupil was not expected to attend the session in question because they werescheduled to attend the other school at which they are registered.The main examples of dual registration are pupils who are attending a pupil referral unit,a hospital school or a special school on a temporary basis. It can also be used when thepupil is known to be registered at another school during the session in question.Each school should only record the pupil’s attendance and absence for those sessionsthat the pupil is scheduled to attend their school. Schools should ensure that they have inplace arrangements whereby all unexplained and unexpected absence is followed up in atimely manner.

 

Under pressure from our attendance team (of all people!) to record the absences so that we would have the evidence so fines/letters can be issued.

[bobsmith]

That is great, thank you for the reply.

 

Is there no software out there that helps you track attendance of alternative provision Students?

 

We are currently using a google drive document to track all 'D' coded Students daily to ensure we have up to date marks.

 

There is in that the alternative provision should be keeping an attendance register using THEIR management information system - they could then share this with you?

[Seb1780]

That is great, thank you for the reply.

 

Is there no software out there that helps you track attendance of alternative provision Students?

 

We are currently using a google drive document to track all 'D' coded Students daily to ensure we have up to date marks.

 

There is in that the alternative provision should be keeping an attendance register using THEIR management information system - they could then share this with you?

 

I'm sensing a change in the expectations here - for years we kept a list of who was at Alt Provision, marked them as a D and occasionally made contact to check on their progress and attendance. Now we are talking about a sub-register, daily contact with the Alt Provision and weekly reports from their MIS to show attendance.

[bobsmith]

the joys of safeguarding.

 

Personally I think this should have always been happening, I don't believe we're discharging out duty of care simply by dumping them at an Alt-Provision and forgetting about them. This increased focus makes us consider a bit more closely on what is going on.

[Dminto]

Is the Alternative school to chase the attendance up if the student is absent or the Main School?

[Seb1780]

Is the Alternative school to chase the attendance up if the student is absent or the Main School?

Could be either, could be both. I'd expect in the first instance the Alt Provision to make enquiries, but if this is prolonged absence then the main school gets involved, together with the LA.

 

At least, that's what happens in these parts.

[Dminto]

So to clarify the Pru school mark the attendance showing ill or unauthorised absence mark and the other school marks as D ?

[Seb1780]

Yes - sorry for late reply, I've been on holiday