School attendance has always been a priority, but with the UK government’s recent push to crack down on poor attendance through stricter policies and fines, it’s become an even hotter topic. For students with special educational needs (SEN), however, the issue is more complex. While the government is enforcing tougher penalties for absenteeism, we need to acknowledge that many SEN pupils face unique barriers to regular attendance.
At Calm Learning, we specialise in providing 1:1 alternative provision to help children with additional needs stay engaged in education and achieve their full potential. Our tailored, personalised approach ensures that no child is left behind, no matter what challenges they face.
Government Policies on Attendance: What You Need to Know
In recent months, the UK government has rolled out new policies aimed at tackling absenteeism, particularly through increased fines for parents whose children are persistently absent. Schools are now under more pressure than ever to ensure pupils attend regularly, and SENCOs and school leaders face the challenge of balancing attendance targets with the individual needs of vulnerable students.
These policies are designed to improve overall attendance, but they don’t always take into account the complexities faced by SEN pupils. For children with anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or other additional needs, being in school every day can be overwhelming. In some cases, these children are attending school but are not fully engaged in learning because they lack the right support.
Government Policies on Attendance: What You Need to Know
For SEN pupils, school can be a daunting place. Many struggle to access the curriculum in mainstream classrooms, even with standard interventions in place. With stretched resources, non-specialist teaching assistants are often used to supervise SEN pupils, but this can sometimes be more like babysitting than learning.
In extreme cases, some children end up sitting in senior leadership offices colouring or doing other non-academic activities because it’s the only way to manage their behaviour while keeping the rest of the school running smoothly. These situations are far from ideal—and they certainly don’t help meet attendance targets in a meaningful way.
This is where Calm Learning can step in. My 1:1 approach provides the specialist support that helps SEN pupils access learning, reducing behavioural issues and improving both attendance and engagement. With tailored lesson plans and targeted interventions, I help schools avoid exclusion and keep children learning in a way that works for them.
Attendance Fines and SEN: Finding the Balance
While attendance fines are becoming more common, it’s essential to recognise that many families with SEN children are already stretched to their limits. For parents of SEN pupils, getting their child into school is often a daily struggle due to anxiety, sensory overload, or emotional regulation issues. Simply enforcing fines does little to address the root cause of absenteeism.
At Calm Learning, I work closely with schools and families to create supportive, bespoke learning environments that encourage SEN children to attend and engage. By offering alternative provision that focuses on both academic progress and emotional wellbeing, we can help reduce absenteeism in a way that avoids unnecessary fines and creates real, lasting change for these pupils.
How Calm Learning Can Help
The government’s focus on attendance is putting additional pressure on schools to ensure pupils are present, but attendance alone isn’t enough—especially for SEN pupils. What’s needed is the right support to help these children thrive while they are in school.
At Calm Learning, I offer specialist 1:1 teaching for children with EHCPs and those struggling in mainstream settings. My approach focuses on filling gaps in their education, boosting confidence, and helping them engage with learning, so they’re not just attending school—they’re thriving in it.
