Attendance trials

Schools and academies cannot refuse to admit a pupil on the basis that they have attendance issues.

However, in the case where a pupil with very low attendance (75% or less) applies to move from one local school to another, a place can be offered on the basis that the pupil undertakes an attendance trial.

Attendance trials form part of Norfolk's Fair Access Protocol, which states:

A pupil with very low attendance (less than 75%) who seeks an alternative school where a space is available can be offered trial attendance (half a term) at their preferred school subject to agreement by all parties. If attendance is satisfactory during the trial period (national average attendance achieved) the child transfers to the preferred school.

Attendance trials are only valid where the trial document is signed by all parties including the Fair Access Team, which will keep a central record of all trials.

How the trial process should work

These are the various stages of the trial process:

Parent applies for a place at another local school.
Trial school has spaces in the relevant year group and pupil has attendance of less than 75%.
Trial school contacts current school to obtain agreement to an attendance trial. There is no statutory basis for attendance trials, and they can only take place with the agreement of both schools and the parents. LAC and pupils with statements/EHCPs cannot be offered an attendance trial and must be offered a place.
Meeting held by trial school with parent and pupil to explain trial agreement and for the trial agreement to be signed.
Trial agreement sent to current school for signature.
Trial agreement sent to Fair Access Team for signature. The trial agreement is not binding unless signed by all parties.
Place is offered subject to successful completion of an attendance trial.
Trial starts.

If the trial is successful, the child is transferred to roll at the trial school and the Fair Access Team is notified.

If the trial is not successful, the child returns to their current school. The Fair Access Team is notified.

Further information

Parents' guide to attendance trials (PDF) [47KB]
Guidance notes on attendance trials (Word doc) [13KB]
Secondary attendance trial agreement (Word doc) [30KB] - this is to be used to set up an attendance trial