Inspection-Ready Attendance: From Compliance to Strategic Advantage
2 dates
£185.00 - £215.00
+ VATNational Attendance Conference 2027: Tackling Absence. Improving Attendance. Transforming Outcomes.
Live Online
1 date
£185.00
+ VAT
Live Online
1 date
£185.00
+ VAT Tackling Absence. Improving Attendance. Transforming Outcomes.
Improving attendance isn’t just about reducing absence figures. It’s about removing barriers, reconnecting pupils with education and giving every child the opportunity to achieve and thrive.
Improving attendance is one of the biggest challenges facing schools today. With increasing expectations on schools and individual Attendance Baseline Improvement Expectations (ABIEs), the pressure to tackle persistent and severe absence continues to grow. But improving attendance isn’t just about getting pupils through the school gates. It’s about understanding why they’re not there in the first place and knowing what we can do to make a difference.
The National Attendance Conference 2027 brings together experienced education specialists to explore the challenges schools are facing and, more importantly, what we can do about them. From meeting Ofsted’s attendance expectations and tackling severe absence to strengthening safeguarding and identifying pupils at risk, this conference focuses on practical strategies that make a real difference in schools.
Throughout the day, we’ll explore how to identify early warning signs, use attendance data to target interventions, support pupils with SEND/ALN and build stronger relationships with parents and families. We’ll also examine the important links between attendance, safeguarding, behaviour and wellbeing, recognising that there is rarely one simple reason why a pupil stops attending school.
With expert insights from Victoria Franklin, Ian Curry, Matt Bromley and Karen Ferguson, this interactive conference will give school leaders, attendance officers, pastoral teams and education professionals the knowledge, confidence and practical strategies to tackle absence, demonstrate improvement and make a lasting difference to pupil attendance.
Understand the national attendance picture, emerging trends and key challenges affecting schools.
Explore how attendance is evaluated under the new Ofsted inspection framework.
Use attendance data and DfE tools to identify patterns, risks and priorities for improvement.
Recognise early warning signs of persistent and severe absence.
Develop effective strategies to tackle severe absence and re-engage pupils.
Understand the relationship between attendance, safeguarding, behaviour and wellbeing.
Strengthen safeguarding procedures, monitoring and accountability for absent pupils.
Identify effective early interventions and evaluate their impact on attendance.
Explore barriers to attendance for pupils with SEND/ALN and develop inclusive approaches.
Strengthen parental engagement and collaboration to improve pupil attendance.
BSc (Hons), QTS, MEd, MA
Karen is currently working part-time in a mainstream Primary School as SENDCO, while the remaining part of her week is spent supporting and training. Karen started teaching science at a... mainstream secondary school in 2000 but moved into the SEND environment, working with children and parents to help them overcome their barriers to education to give them the skills to achieve their full potential. The majority of her training was on the job, which showed the need for training in this area. She was appointed as a Specialist Leader in Education for Autism, and this allowed her to disseminate good practice and deliver training in the field of SEND. Karen offers various SEND, Neurodivergent and condition specific training, including Autism, ADHD and Dyslexia. She has continued her professional development throughout the years, including a Master in Arts, Master in Education, Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism and PDA formal qualifications. She is currently working towards her NPQSEN. Karen believes that a better understanding of SEND, Neurodivergence and complex needs can be achieved through information sharing, and she is committed to ensuring that education is developed and delivered to as many people as possible.
Matt Bromley is an education writer and advisor with over twenty years’ experience in teaching and leadership including as a secondary school headteacher and principal, FE college vice ...principal, and MAT director. Currently, Matt is a public speaker, trainer, school improvement lead, and a primary school governor. He also remains a practising teacher, working in secondary, FE and HE settings, and is the lead lecturer on a national ITT programme. Matt writes for various newspapers and magazines including SecEd, Headteacher Update, SEN Leader, TES, School Business Manager Magazine, Children & Young People Now, Attendance Matters Magazine, and School Inspection & Improvement Magazine. He sits on SecEd’s editorial board and co-hosts their award-winning podcast, as well as writes most of their monthly pull-out best practice supplements.
Educational Consultant & Safeguarding Specialist
Ian is an experienced education consultant with over 25 years’ experience improving safeguarding, behaviour management, curriculum development and school leadership across mainstream, a...lternative, special and international education settings. Specialising in supporting vulnerable learners, they have led successful school improvement initiatives, including Alternative Provision, restorative practices and trauma-informed approaches. Working closely with Trusts and school leaders, they deliver CPD, coaching, policy development and inspection preparation to strengthen school culture and improve outcomes. A member of CAPE and freelance trainer for Stand Against Violence, they contribute to national and international safeguarding training. Their collaborative, practical approach focuses on empowering educators, developing leaders and creating inclusive, supportive learning environments.
Senior Education Welfare Consultant - CQSW ILM
• Professional experience - 30+ years working in Attendance Management and Improvement across Local Authorities, Schools and MAT’s. Senior roles responsible for LA wide data analysis ...and strategic planning. Work in partnership with the Department for Education – DFE Attendance Adviser • Special interest - interface between policy and practice • National trainer writing and delivering programmes on attendance and absence. Working internationally with INSA (international Network for School Attendance) supporting research and academic publications. • Governance - governor across all phases of education including Chair of Governors at Bristol Hospital Education Service • Past President of NASWE – a membership organisation for attendance practitioners across England
Don’t just take our word for it, visit our social media pages for live feedback.
View 1 date & book
Thursday 28 January 2027
