Reading time: 2 minutes
Alternative provision (AP) settings often support young people with complex needs, making safeguarding a paramount consideration. While sharing many similarities with mainstream schools, the unique challenges of AP require a tailored approach.
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Students with mental health challenges can find it difficult to attend a mainstream setting which can diminish their educational potential. Schools can also find it troublesome trying to implement a suitable provision and raise attendance figures.
However, there can be alternatives provided for these children struggling which can allow them to thrive in their education. In this blog, we’ll take a look at some strategies you can implement to help reintegrate your students with mental health challenges.
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Supporting a child with mental health or behavioural challenges can be a monumental task in itself. Reintegrating them back into mainstream education is another feat that needs a collaborative approach to implementing the right support possible for children.
Government guidance has highlighted:
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Anxiety levels in children and young people have increased in recent years with many finding it challenging to attend mainstream education. What can we do to overcome these challenges to raise attendance and effectively support anxiety?
EDClass spoke to the director of Elemental Health, Ange McMillan to discuss anxiety and attendance challenges and how we can best overcome these barriers. Ange specialises in supporting children and young people who experience anxiety challenges and barriers to school attendance. She also works in collaboration with youth services to implement the best service possible to help.
Read More
Reading time: 4 minutes
Autism can present several challenges for both students and the school. This can also mean that attendance can be difficult to claw back for students, especially those who exhibit pathological demand avoidance (PDA). That’s why we must understand a child’s needs and find what will work best for them.
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Student behaviour and attendance have seen a recent decline in the past few years, particularly after returning from the pandemic. Year 11 can be a time of turmoil for many students during their most important year in secondary school, but what if we could implement early intervention strategies to combat these challenges?
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
Student attendance has recently been a prevalent issue in the education sector. Many factors have contributed to absenteeism, but both students and parents are questioning the authenticity of mandatory attendance in the school building.
“Parents in England no longer subscribe to the view that their children need to be in school full-time, according to new research which says there has been “a seismic shift” in attitudes to attendance since the pandemic.” – The Guardian
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Absent students may always present the education sector with a problem that will be difficult to solve, but we must do everything in our power to overcome certain barriers. Could one option be online learning? EDClass contacted the Department for Education to discuss absence rates and why we must keep up the momentum to improve standards.
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
There are a variety of reasons as to why students do not attend education. Online learning can provide immense benefits and even improve attendance rates in some instances.
The school inspection handbook outlines how teachers must:
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Students with ADHD challenges have presented tests for schools in terms of supporting absent students. How can we support these students and aid their personal development so they can feel prepared for adulthood?
According to statistics:
“Referrals to ADHD specialists rose by 226% between 2017 and 2022. #ADHD is now the seventh highest trending hashtag on TikTok, and medication to treat the condition is currently in very short supply across the world.”
Reading time: 4 minutesNew creative solutions can be implemented to overcome student attendance...
Read More
Reading time: 4 minutes
Anxiety is a normal and often healthy emotion. However, when anxiety is excessive and interferes with daily life, it can become a problem. This is especially true for students, who are often under a lot of pressure to succeed.
Anxiety amongst other mental health challenges has resulted in heightened absenteeism. The BBC News recently reported:
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Online learning is a valuable tool that can be used to improve attendance for students who are struggling to attend school in person. Local authorities can use online learning to provide students with flexible and convenient access to education, regardless of their location or circumstances. This can help to reduce the number of absences and keep students on track to graduate.
Read More
Reading time: 4 minutes
Alternative Provision (AP) is a type of education that is delivered to students outside of a traditional school setting. It plays a crucial role in the UK education system, providing support and tailored learning opportunities for students who may struggle to thrive in mainstream schools, who have been excluded from school, or who are unable to attend school for other reasons.
There are many benefits to Alternative Provision for both schools and learners. For schools, it can provide a cost-effective way to provide education to pupils who would otherwise be excluded from mainstream education. It can also help to reduce the number of pupils who are permanently excluded from school, which can have a negative impact on their future prospects.
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
A short while ago, the Department for Education (DfE) announced plans to expand the revolutionary Attendance Hub programme, alongside the expansion of Attendance Mentors to areas of the country with the highest levels of student absence. This programme was designed to provide an innovative platform for collaboration, with school staff, local authorities and parents working together to improve struggling attendance figures.
In this article, we take a closer look at the role of Attendance Hubs and how the promotion and sharing of best practices is helping to support student’s academic success while addressing the growing challenge of poor attendance rates.
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Recent attendance rates within schools have been very poor due to several factors. What can be done to improve levels and how can certain students be supported?
According to the recent Schools White Paper published in March that discussed attendance rates:
“children who had no absence during the two years of GCSE study were almost twice as likely to achieve five or more than those who missed 10-15% of lessons.”
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Truancy rates and absenteeism are being scrutinised by the government following a new bill. Are schools ready for this, can they be supported and can EdTech assist?
Following the Queen’s speech, England’s schools will now be required to publish an attendance policy for their students aiming to crack down on absenteeism. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi outlined his ambitions to improve schools:
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Children missing education can cause a mass of problems for schools. Schools must do their best to ensure their students’ safety and increase their chances of reintegrating.
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutesBarriers to learning can be difficult to break for students, but this...
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
Attending school is crucial if students are to progress with their studies. Covid has hampered student’s education, but alternative provision can help.
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
School attendance around the UK has continued to fall as the coronavirus pandemic takes a toll on education.
The Education Policy Institute said that rising infection rates had created challenges for schools since they reopened, with hundreds of pupils and staff being sent home following outbreaks of the virus.
The rates are regionalised around the UK. Which areas have the highest rates of absence? This blog post explained.
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
What is your current attendance?
There has been a rise in the number of schools whose attendance rate has been affected by coronavirus.
The latest figures show pupils isolating in 46% of secondary schools and 16% of primary schools.
Overall attendance has worsened from 90% to 89%. What are your attendance figures? Let us know in the comments below.
Read More
Reading time: 4 minutes
EDBlog reported last month that there has been a significant decline in pupil attendance – amid fears there are children reluctant to return.
A report issued this week by Ofsted showed the effect of the pandemic on schools around the UK. Parent and pupil anxiety is said to have led to increased absence of pupils, while parents opting to home-school their students permanently had also increased.
What can be done if you have children reluctant to return? This blog post explains.
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
The number of schools not fully open due to Covid-19 incidents has quadrupled in a week according to official figures.
The leader of the National Association of Head Teachers has said that the attendance figures should “ring alarm bells” for the Government.
Last week warnings were made that schools would “grind to a halt” unless testing improves. This blog post explains the latest.
Read More
Reading time: 6 minutes
There are 400,000 pupils absent from the classroom due to issues associated with the pandemic and lockdown.
The Children’s Commissioner said that pupils sent home due to a Covid-19 was relatively small but many children with special needs or emotional problems had yet to return.
The figures continue a worrying trend set by schools in Scotland, where 12% of pupils were absent on one day last month.
What can be done to increase the number of children receiving an education? This blog post explains.
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
Class and year bubbles are the new norm for schools this autumn.
Unlike the general public who are limited to 6 people, schools can have larger groups though are expected to keep these to a minimum.
This blog post provides top tips for doing this along with the latest bubble guidance.
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
More than 100,000 students were absent from school in Scotland on one day at the end of August, according to Government figures (12%).
Health anxieties amongst parents and pupils means that many pupils are reluctant to return to the classroom.
The Government has said that it will fine families who do not attend. But how will this work and do you have a contingency plan in place? This blog post tells you all you need to know.
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Pupils in the UK should return to schools full-time in August (in Scotland) and September (in England) – even if they have been shielding.
Advice from the Government states that “unless their GP or specialist healthcare provider advises otherwise, any children and young people who live with someone who has been shielding can also return to school.”
But what does this mean for families who are still shielding? This blog post explains.
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
Nicola Sturgeon is expected to confirm today schools to reopen from August in Scotland.
UK schools closed to almost all pupils on 20 March. In England, schools have reopened for key year groups with a full return intended for September.
Read More
Reading time: 4 minutes
Reducing persistent absence is an objective for almost all attendance officers.
Maintained schools must meet for 380 sessions or 190 days during any school year – and if schools are prevented from reaching this target they must find a way of holding extra sessions.
But what are the requirements for meeting attendance and what can be done to reduce persistent absence? This blog post explains.
Read More
Reading time: 4 minutes
By improving attendance you can directly influence improved academic outcomes. Regular class attendance means students are provided with live teaching to both a whole classroom and can also receive tailored feedback.
The Ofsted framework judges schools in four areas: 1) Quality of education 2) Behaviour and attitudes 3) Personal development and 4) Leadership and management. Attendance is included in the Behaviour and attitudes judgement – so it is essential for schools to keep attendance high.
This blog post will explain how attendance is judged by Ofsted and 5 top tips for how attendance can be improved.
Read More
Reading time: 5 minutes
Schools in England began a phased return to opening at the start of June, with reduced class sizes and social distancing in place.
Since the start of lockdown, schools had remained open to vulnerable children and children of key workers. The rest were asked to learn from home, often without access to a computer, with “no expectations on learning” and it has meant children have fallen 12 months behind.
Here you will find all you need to know about education catch up, the funds available and requirements on learning.
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Teaching from anywhere has become the new normal during the coronavirus pandemic.
The ability to keep your students learning, even when not together, is fundamental to your school’s offering and your children’s development.
This blog post explains how to utilise digital skills to create a virtual classroom in order to enable teaching from anywhere.
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
Only 42% of pupils returned their last piece of schoolwork, according to the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER).
Most teachers have said that pupils are doing less work than they expect. One in five children have completed no schoolwork during lockdown.
Why should schools be concerned? This blog post investigates.
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
700,000 children do not have a laptop or tablet for home learning – as the coronavirus has widens the attainment gap between pupils.
Children’s commissioner, Anne Longfield, said the outcome of the pandemic on vulnerable pupils creates a ‘a stark risk of them falling behind their peers’.
What has been the impact of Covid-19 on the attainment gap?
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
Changes have been made to school reopening, the Government has announced.
Speaking in the House of Commons, the Education Secretary said the adjustments made would provide ‘flexibility’ to schools.
Among the changes, the Government has also said that ‘priority lists‘ will be used to explain to School Leadership Teams (SLTs) who will be offered spaces first.
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Schools should plan for students getting caught up as quickly as possible, says the child’s commissioner.
There have been a number of suggestions put forward on how to get students caught up.
But which structure should be used to catch students up on lost education?
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Primary school pupils in England returned on Monday with social distancing and limited class sizes.
However some councils guarded against reopening – with 90% of schools in some areas remaining closed.
What are the current requirements of pupils returning? What is preventing parents sending their children back? And how can blended learning support pupils?
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
Blended learning is set to become the new normal for education in the UK, according to the leader of teachers’ union.
It is expected that pupils will have to take it in turn using classrooms. In schools, pupils will have to be situated two metres apart. Those outside school will all be expected to participated in remote learning.
But what would blended learning entail and could it become a permanent fixture in education?
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
The process of school reopening will not mean that children will be forced to spend their summer holidays catching up in the classroom, says the Education Secretary.
Gavin Williamson was speaking at this week’s Education Select Committee meeting on Wednesday where he also discussed the impact of the closures on vulnerable children.
Earlier this month, we reported that Williamson may prefer an earlier lifting of lockdown restrictions due to the impact on the education system. However Williamson refused to be drawn on a date. Earlier today, Shadow Education Secretary, Rebecca Long-Bailey stressed schools should only be open when safe to do so.
Read More
Reading time: 5 minutes
Scotland’s Education Secretary and Wales’ Education have lifted the lid on a potential phase opening whereas ministers in England remained tight-lipped.
England’s Education Minister said last week that vulnerable children would be “priority” as part of any plans to reopen schools.
But are we any closer to reopening schools and what does the plan look like?
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
The Education (School Day and School Year)(England) Regulations 1999 place a duty on schools to provide a minimum of 380 sessions (or 190 full days) ‘at a school’.
In these exceptional times, the Education Act 1996 is pertinent: local authorities have a duty to provide suitable education.
This section relates to ‘exceptional provision of education’. This usually relates to pupil illness or exclusion, but as schools close and most students work from home, it has a particular meaning in these coronavirus times.
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has fronted today’s UK Government press conference to shed light on the criteria which must be met in order for schools to reopen.
The minister highlighted a five point principle in order for the reopening of schools – which we will detail below.
But what did the Education Secretary say today?
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
Today is primary school offer day – a key indication that schools plan on soon returning to normal.
Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, said the offer day is going ahead “because it is important to mark ‘milestones amid the Covid-19 outbreak.”
Earlier this week, EDLounge reported that Williamson would prefer lifting of lockdown restrictions sooner rather than later. But what do his comments today mean for education resuming?
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
When will schools reopen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Schools have now been closed for two full weeks. However there hasn’t been a Government-led approach to education in the interim, with schools largely being left to their own devices to allocate teaching methods.
It has led to some parents struggling to fill the day for their child while others have trouble balancing their own homeworking.
In stems the questions, how long will this period last for and what can be done to help?
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
Last week, the UK Government opted to close schools but said some schools should remain open so that key workers can continue to go to work.
But some schools are struggling to cope with the demand with many staff at home. Further some staff remain worried about the virus continuing to spread between pupils.
According to the NAHT staff are “understandably anxious about the personal risk of simply going to work”. But should the school situation change to benefit staff and parents of those present?
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
As parents come to terms with home teaching, it is worth knowing what support is out there to ensure your children receive the best possible education.
At EDLounge Limited we can help you through the current crisis, with support including live teaching.
EDLounge Limited’s system is accessible for both students who are still required to go into school and pupils who are now at home. The virtual learning platform can feature tailored lessons, with topics set by the teacher to help to ensure consistent learning across the year group.
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Today is the first day of school closures in England, after it was announced by the Government last week.
Schools are now only open for children of key workers. Meanwhile, the vast majority of children need to be educated and entertained at home.
But how can parents work from home and provide support for their kids at the same time? And what defines a key worker?
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
The Government has announced plans for UK schools to close on Friday. However, some will stay open to protect the most vulnerable pupils.
The move reverses a decision made on 12 March to keep schools open which had attracted some criticism. Scotland and Wales made the decision to close earlier on Wednesday, with England following suit later in the day.
But prompt the decision for UK schools to close, and what does it mean for summer exams?
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Governments are announcing plans for school closures around the world. But with online learning, school can contingency plan for closures and ensure safeguarding is achieved.
Yesterday, the UK Government released details for a ‘Coronavirus Bill‘ which will be put before the House of Commons today. There are rumours that more significant measures could come into effect this Friday as a result.
But what could the Coronavirus Bill mean for schools? And how should school contingency plans be informed and support by online learning?
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Home education could be set to take centre stage in the UK as the coronavirus outbreak continues to affect schools here and around the world.
Today, the UK Government released fresh guidelines so that schools know what to do with pupils who show symptoms of Covid-19.
But what should a school do with the suspected pupils? What happens to the pupil and staff that they come into contact with, and how can home education help?
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
A number of universities are changing their teaching strategies as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The UK Government decided on Thursday to keep schools and universities open for the foreseeable future. But this decision has attracted some criticism.
With an increasing number of UK students coming into contact with the virus, universities are taking a number of different measures to ensure their running. But what are these measures and how can online learning help?
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
The coronavirus crisis is having an impact all around the world. In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in 14-day isolation after his wife tested positive. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is being tested after an aide tested positive.
The Government response has varied from country to country; varying from complete lockdowns, air travel bans, school closures and the postponements of major sporting events. Yesterday, the UK Government made the decision against widespread school closures, but the move has attracted some criticism.
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
The UK has made the decision for schools to remain open in the face of the Covid-19 coronavirus, despite widespread school closures in other countries affected by the virus.
The decision came as a shock to some, following the Republic of Ireland’s decision to close all schools and colleges until 29 March, earlier in the day.
But why has the Prime Minister made this decision, and are some school closures in the UK still likely?
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Nearly 300 million children are currently missing classes as a result of Covid-19 coronavirus. As of last week, 22 countries on three continents have closed schools, which has triggered the United Nations to warn, “the global scale and speed of the current educational disruption is unparalleled.”
The epidemic has shaken industries around the world. Schools thrown into home-school has hit industries the hardest that rely on students in schools and parents in work.
Virtual classrooms can help to ease the social unrest that is likely to be caused by the crisis. But what are these problems and what is the solution? Here is all you need to know about how other countries have approached learning and revising as a result of coronavirus – and the use of a virtual classroom.
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
Learning at home may become the new norm as the coronavirus closes schools around the world.
290 million pupils are facing weeks at home. Widespread closures are already in place in Italy, China and Japan – and the UK could soon follow suit.
Further, hundreds of schools were closed last November due to flooding. A large number of homes were flooded as a result of heavy downpour last month too. But what should your school do with students’ education in these circumstances and how practical is online learning?
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
As the coronavirus badly affects many countries around the world, nations are turning to virtual classrooms so that education can be maintained.
Concerns have been raised that the illness could force school closures and delay GCSE and A-level exams in the UK.
But does the education system have to shut down, and what are the benefits of virtual classrooms?
Read More
Reading time: 6 minutes
The coronavirus is dominating news headlines around the world. In China alone more than 2,600 people have died, more than 30 countries have reported cases and cities in northern Italy are now in lockdown, as the crisis hit Europe this week.
As a result, Britain is finalising contingency plans. As well as warning Britons against travelling to certain places, ministers have also announced plans to test 600 people per week.
But should the education sector be preparing and adapting? What has happened already in UK schools and around the world?
Read More
Reading time: 5 minutes
The news in recent days has been dominated by the death of Caroline Flack, with the presenter previously opening up on her battles with depression and anxieties in the public eye.
The topic has reinvigorated conversations about mental health. The issue heavily affects teenagers, with 98% of teachers and school leaders admitting to coming into contact with pupils experiencing mental health problems in 2017.
But what is the current practice for addressing mental health in schools? What else can be done?
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Starting this week, sixth form college staff will participate in three strikes in protest against government funding cuts.
National Education Union (NEU) members from 34 sixth form colleges will be taking strike action. The first strike took place on Wednesday, with action also scheduled for 27th February and 10th March. The action in February includes a rally in central London.
The action will affect schools and have implications on the education pupils are receiving. But how can a school minimise the effect a strike may have on its learners? And how can online learning be used to benefit pupils in the absence of classroom time?
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Poor attendance is seen by many as the simplest and most fundamental indicator of the overall quality of a school and its teaching.
And it’s not only appearances that schools with low attendance should be concerned about, as pupils who have low attendance are far more likely to fail their qualifications, and struggle to pick up the skills they need to successfully progress in adult life.
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
Whilst the dangers of ‘off-rolling’ or ignoring/marginalising pupils by moving them to poorly managed alternative provision are real, when it is properly managed, alternative provision can be a very useful tool in encouraging school refusers to re-engage with their education.
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
In May 2016, the High Court deemed that it was acceptable and within the law for parents to take their children on holiday during term time – a move that was stated as a victory for those with common sense among supporters.
Despite this ruling, the topic has still been one of controversy among parents and teachers alike, raising debate and question about the quality of education a child on holiday during term time can receive.
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
With the statutory requirement to report attendance figures comes the additional need to look at why pupils aren’t attending. School refusers make up some of these statistics and this covers those who simply don’t want to go to school or those who are phobic and become incredibly anxious when attending is suggested.
It’s important to get to the centre of why a child refuses to attend, it’s also crucial to put support in place through educational strategies.
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
Truancy rates in the UK are among the highest in the developed world. One fifth of all UK teenagers admit to missing half a day of school in a two week period; in China it is less than one in 100.
Schools have been working hard to reduce truancy rates in line with current government policies. There are certainly signs that there are positive steps being achieved in that persistent absence figures reduced by a third between August 2013 and March 2014; in real figures this is a total of 7.7 million fewer school days lost.
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
This blog touches on one of the biggest challenges facing anyone in school leadership: how to promote student achievement.
Improving the raw data that defines the progress of the pupils is the bottom line to end all bottom lines and can make or break an inspection.
Aside from the raw data, the phrase all head teachers want to hear in an inspection report is that ‘a culture of achievement’ has been created in their school. So how does this happen?
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
Reducing the number of exclusions within any school always serves as a key priority, with many different schools employing a wide ranging form of techniques to greater or lesser success.
Here we will be looking at 5 of the simplest strategies that serve as essential elements to the reduction of any school’s exclusion rates.
Read More
Reading time: 2 minutes
The Rodillian Academy and EDLounge came together in September 2013 to look at how we could improve our existing online provision. This needed to meet national guidance on the use of alternative provision and, more importantly, provide high quality, appropriate work for students who were not accessing mainstream education for a fixed period of time.
We have developed a unique package to support students who are out of mainstream education, providing them with appropriate, accessible work that is accessed through a secure online platform.
Read More
Reading time: 3 minutes
The correlation between attendance and attainment is hardly surprising, as The School Services Sourcebook identifies “Poor attendance means that students are not developing the knowledge and skills needed for later success” (Franklin et al, 2013).
With attendance being such an influential factor on a child’s education, we have put together our top strategies for improving school attendance…
Read More