This section brings together key attendance guidance, resources and support available to schools and professionals in Sutton. It includes information on who to contact for attendance advice, Sutton’s Graduated Response, statutory guidance and additional resources to support children and young people to attend school regularly.
What to Do if You Are Worried About a Child’s Attendance
The Attendance Support Team (AST) works with schools and partner agencies to provide advice and guidance where there are concerns about a child’s attendance.
Before contacting the Attendance Support Team, it is important to establish whether the child:
- Has a school place
- Is registered as Electively Home Educated (EHE)
- Is receiving Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS)
If the child is registered as EHE or EOTAS, please contact the relevant service directly through the appropriate Cognus service pages.
If the Child Attends a Sutton School
All Sutton schools have a named Attendance Support Officer who can provide advice and guidance regarding attendance concerns. Schools and professionals should use the school allocation document to identify the appropriate officer for the child’s school. View School Allocations
If you are unable to establish which school a child attends, please contact: attendance@cognus.org.uk
Sutton Attendance Graduated Response
Sutton’s Attendance Graduated Response provides a structured, multi-agency approach to supporting school attendance and addressing barriers that may impact a child or young person’s engagement with education.
The Graduated Response supports schools to:
- Identify attendance concerns early
- Assess barriers to attendance
- Access appropriate support services
- Implement proportionate interventions
- Escalate support where required
View the Attendance Graduated Response
Resources and Templates
Schools may also find the following resources helpful:
Attendance Policy Content Guide
The Department for Education’s Working Together to Improve School Attendance guidance states that every school should have a clear attendance policy that sets out expectations, responsibilities and procedures.
To support schools in reviewing and developing their attendance policies, Sutton provides an Attendance Policy Content Guide.
Download the Attendance Policy Content Guide
Attendance Contracts
Attendance Improvement Plans provide a formal framework for schools and families to agree actions to improve attendance where earlier support has not led to sufficient progress.
Download the Attendance Improvement Plan (template)
Attendance and Absence Codes
Accurate attendance recording is essential. Schools should ensure registers are coded correctly in line with Department for Education requirements.
View Attendance and Absence Coding Guidance
Additional Guidance
Statutory Guidance
- Children Missing Education
- Keeping Children Safe in Education
- Education for Children with Health Needs Who Cannot Attend School
- Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions at School
Non-Statutory Guidance
- Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools
- Promoting the Education of Children with a Social Worker
Local Guidance
- Sutton LSCP Protocols
- Sutton Missing Children Protocol
- Sutton Children Missing Education Protocol
Additional Guidance
Statutory Guidance
- Children Missing Education
- Keeping Children Safe in Education
- Education for Children with Health Needs Who Cannot Attend School
- Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions at School
Non-Statutory Guidance
Local Guidance
Related Attendance Support Pages
- Attendance Interventions
- Legal Intervention
- Emotional Barriers to School Attendance and Mental Health
- Medical Needs and Attendance
- Reduced Timetables
- Complex Attendance Panel
- Events, Training and Networks
- Specialist Services