New Absence DfE Bandings Reports: Driving Improvement
Posted: 26 March 2025
Schools can now use absence banding reports to more effectively review and manage absence data. In line with DfE guidelines, research shows that Bands 2-3 (5-15% absence) account for the majority of school absences and are the key areas where improvements can be made.
Attend is built to help schools target and improve these areas.
New Features in Attend Reports:
Banding Information: Added to all student grids, showing each student’s absence band.
Absence Distribution: View absence data across year groups by percentage and count.
History Tab: Track banding movements for each student over time.
Absence Bands:
A school records if a pupil attends each half day session at school. Over the school year the number of sessions a pupil attends is calculated as a percentage of the possible sessions they should have attended at the school. For this report these attendance percentages have been grouped into 5% bandings.
- Band 1: 0% to less than 5%
- Band 2: 5% to less than 10%
- Band 3: 10% to less than 15%
- Band 4: 15% to less than 20%
- Band 5: 20% to less than 25%
- Band 6: 25% to less than 30%
- Band 7: 30% to less than 35%
- Band 8: 35% to less than 40%
- Band 9: 40% to less than 45%
- Band 10: 45% to less than 50%
- Band 11: Absence greater than or equal to 50%
Banding information is now included in letters, communications, and Absence Watch.
How This Helps
Regularly reviewing absence banding data helps schools:
- Identify when students are moving up or down bands
- Monitor the effectiveness of your school’s attendance strategies
- Make informed decisions on when additional support or action is needed
This powerful tool is designed to drive better outcomes and help your school improve attendance management.
You can find the DfE’s guidance here: Monitor Your School Attendance - User Guide.