Digital School Registration

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 23 January 2020.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of John Swinney John Swinney Scottish National Party

Local authorities and schools determine the most appropriate methods to record pupil’s school attendance; therefore, the Scottish Government does not collect that figure. For all young people to achieve their potential, schools should consider each pupil’s positive engagement with learning.

To support schools, we published revised guidance last year—“Included, Engaged and Involved Part 1: A Positive Approach to the Promotion and Management of Attendance in Scottish Schools”—which provides advice on good practice, including that

“schools should have a clear ... strategic plan to promote and manage attendance”,

including “identified personnel and systems” to track and monitor attendance, and requirements for classifying and recording attendance and absence.