Primary Attendance Forum | Wonder Learning Partnership

Primary Attendance and Belonging Forum

Belonging and emotional wellbeing are increasingly recognised as fundamental to successful education, yet they are becoming increasingly complex areas for schools to navigate. Levels of emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) continue to present a significant challenge nationally, particularly for vulnerable pupils, including those with SEND. At the same time, expectations are becoming sharper. There is a growing emphasis on early identification, inclusive practice and the extent to which schools can demonstrate that they are creating environments where children feel safe, valued and connected. This is not simply a question of attendance. It is about understanding the underlying factors that affect a pupil’s sense of belonging and ensuring that support is timely, proportionate and aligned to safeguarding, attendance and SEND systems.

For many schools, this remains difficult to sustain. Despite significant effort, responses to EBSA can become reactive, and the relationship between belonging, wellbeing, attendance and inclusion is not always as coherent as it needs to be. Across the system, variation remains. In some settings, strong relationships, inclusive cultures and a clear focus on belonging are helping pupils re-engage successfully; in others, securing lasting improvements for vulnerable learners remains a challenge.

The Belonging and EBSA Network & Forum is designed to address this directly. Drawing on the principles underpinning the Difference for Schools Programme, it combines research-informed practice, professional collaboration and practical school improvement. There will be a structured sequence of sessions across the year focused on three key areas:

Understanding belonging, emotional wellbeing and the drivers of EBSA

Developing inclusive practice, relational approaches and targeted support

Securing consistent systems, strengthening engagement and sustaining successful reintegration

Each stage of the work will draw on attendance and engagement data, pupil voice, safeguarding insights and evidence from the Difference for Schools Programme, with a consistent rhythm of reflection, collaboration and refinement.

Primary Attendance and Belonging Forum Key Content and Dates

Meeting	Focus	Key Content	Purpose
Meeting 1 Wednesday 18th November 2026 12:30pm-4:30pm (Microsoft Teams)	Understanding Belonging, Attendance and EBSA	Introduction to the network and annual priorities. Analysis of attendance, inclusion and vulnerability data, including persistent absence, EBSA indicators, SEND and disadvantaged pupils. Exploration of the Difference for Schools Programme and the relationship between belonging, engagement and attendance. Input from a serving Ofsted inspector on attendance, safeguarding and vulnerability.	To establish a shared understanding of belonging and EBSA, identify priority cohorts, and strengthen leaders’ understanding of emerging expectations.
Meeting 2 Wednesday 3rd February 2027 3:45pm-5:00pm (Microsoft Teams)	Early Identification, Relational Practice and Family Engagement	Exploration of the factors contributing to disengagement and school avoidance. Focus on relational approaches, family partnership, early intervention and supportive reintegration. Sharing of practical strategies and case studies from schools.	To strengthen schools’ ability to identify emerging need and respond through relational, preventative and family-centred approaches.
Meeting 3 Wednesday 19th May 2027 3:45pm-5:00pm (Microsoft Teams)	Belonging, Safeguarding and Inclusion	Review of engagement and attendance trends. Exploration of the connections between safeguarding, SEND, wellbeing and belonging. Focus on vulnerability mapping, pupil voice and understanding barriers experienced by children and young people.	To strengthen alignment between safeguarding, inclusion and attendance systems and ensure vulnerable pupils are identified and supported effectively.
Meeting 4 Wednesday 7th July 2027 12:30pm-4:30pm (In Person)	Securing Consistency and Sustaining Engagement	Review of whole-school approaches to belonging, inclusion and attendance. Evaluation of intervention strategies, reintegration processes and support pathways. Sharing effective practice from across the Trust.	To establish consistent approaches that promote belonging, improve engagement and support sustained attendance improvements.
Meeting 5 Summer Term 2 Paired and trio meetings. Date to be Confirmed	Strategic Review and Future Priorities	Final review of attendance, engagement and inclusion outcomes. Evaluation of the impact of belonging-focused approaches and EBSA strategies. Reflection on learning from the Difference for Schools Programme and identification of priorities for the following academic year. Development of a shared framework and resource toolkit.	To evaluate the impact of the year’s work, identify effective practice and establish a sustainable Trust-wide approach to belonging, attendance and EBSA.