Conference programme
08:45 Registration, refreshments and networking
09:15 Welcome and introduction - Mark Walker, Head of Education, Quality & Inclusion (North & Mid)
09:30 Transforming Attendance: understanding the current picture and looking to the future - Sara Griffiths MBE, Attendance Improvement Advisor
In this session, Sara will share trends in attendance across the country. She will also provide updates on legislation, share the latest focus and DfE priorities and detail the emerging research supporting schools nationally to improve attendance for children and young people.
10:15 Pupil engagement and attendance - Matt Bromley, Education consultant (attendance)
During this session, Matt will explore why attendance matters, why some learners are absent, and how schools can create a positive culture that promotes good attendance, including by adopting his 3 mantras and following his 5P framework, improving policy, personalisation, practice, parental engagement, and performance data.
11:00 Refreshments and networking
11:30 How our family of schools cut persistent absence to become some of the most improved in the country - Micheal Hickman, Trust Safeguarding and Attendance Lead for Athena Learning Trust
Through his role with Athena Learning Trust, Michael leads the attendance strategy across secondary and primary schools across Devon and Cornwall.
His work focuses on building sustainable attendance improvement through clear systems, strong relationships, and a culture of belonging, consistency and high expectations. Under his leadership, schools within the trust have become some of the most improved nationally for reducing persistent absence.
In this keynote, Michael shares the practical strategies, leadership approaches and relationship-driven systems that helped transform attendance culture across the trust.
12:00 Closing the attendance gap for disadvantaged, vulnerable and SEND learners - Matt Bromley, Education consultant (attendance)
During this session, Matt will share strategies for closing attendance gaps by addressing intersectionality and adopting a learner-led approach. From this, you will learn practical approaches to support those most at risk and strengthen transitions to prevent dips in attendance.
12:45 Lunch and networking
13:30 Attendance, more than just a statistic - Phil Banks, CEO of St Christophers MAT
Drawing on emerging research and practical experience from schools, this keynote explores the powerful connection between belonging and student attendance. Through the lens of relationships, identity, inclusion and school culture, I argue that attendance is not simply a compliance issue, but often a reflection of whether young people feel seen, valued and significant within their school community.
Combining research evidence, lived experience and real-world examples, the session examines how belonging influences motivation, engagement, wellbeing and ultimately whether students choose to show up.
It challenges schools to move beyond transactional approaches to attendance and instead build cultures where every child can genuinely say: “I belong here.”
14:15 A parent perspective: Drawing on family voice, partnership learning and relevant research - Vanessa Hemming, Family Minds Partnership
The session will explore what attendance difficulties can feel like for parents and caregivers and how communication, relationships and trust can shape what happens next. It will consider how schools can better understand the pressures families may be carrying, what helps parents feel able to engage and how small shifts in approach can make a meaningful difference when attendance has become difficult.
The session will include practical reflection and interactive discussion, helping attendees think about how support can feel from the parent side of the conversation.
15:00 Next steps for our network
15:30 Close of conference - a chance for continued networking
