Norfolk Secondary Attendance Conference

You recently received a save-the-date email for the Norfolk Secondary Attendance Conference that we are holding on 28 March 2025, at the The Kings Centre, in Norwich. 

Conference details

Cost: DfE Supported Conference - Free of charge, with free lunch included.

Venue: The Kings Centre, 63-75 Kings Street, Norwich, NR1 1PH

Time: 09:00-13:00; lunch 13:00-14:00

Included:

• Best practice speakers, case studies, student voice insights and learning from DfE Norwich Priority Area work to raise attendance across eight Norwich secondary schools.
• Explore strategies across the eight network schools, that led in a 12-month period to:
  • An overall average increase of school attendance by 2%, with some schools improving by over 5%.
  • An average reduction in persistent absence by 9%, with one school reducing PA by 20%.
  • An increase of over 700 students across the eight network schools are now attending in the top band of attendance, 95% or higher.
• Aimed at Secondary headteachers and Senior School leaders/ attendance leads. • Will add local context and complement the DfE regional event in Colchester on March 17.
• Practically focused - to help make a difference to attendance in your school!

Speakers and workshops include:

• CASE Studies from two Norwich secondary schools that have reduced PA by more than 10ppts.
• Scott Walker, DfE Attendance Advisor.
• Jonathan Taylor, DfE RISE Advisor and CEO of Sapientia Education Trust.
• Becky Taylor, DfE Head of Delivery (East of England RISE team and Norfolk).
• Q&A panel with sample of Norwich pupils. Paul Webb: NCC Youth Service lead.
• Learning from best practice visits, including schools in London, the North East, Birmingham and Ipswich.
• A networking lunch is provided to encourage partnership work.

Book your place

Two members of staff are invited from each school: the Headteacher along with another chosen member of staff, either an Attendance Officer or someone from the Senior Leadership Team. Please ensure that both people attending fill out the Microsoft form separately.  

Please ensure, if you wish to attend, you complete and send this form no later than 7 March 2025, at midday. If you have any issues with the form, please email b.ridgwell@setrust.co.uk directly, so we know that you will be attending.

Register to attend the conference

Parking and more information

There is no parking available, however, there are plenty of car parks nearby, including the following: 

• Rose Lane Car Park (72-76 Mountergate, NR1 1PY) - 4 minute walk 
• Castle Mall Car Park (Castle Mall, Norwich, NR1 3DD) - 5 minute walk 
• Riverside Car Park (Riverside Car Park, Norwich, NR1 1WX) - 10 minute walk 
• St Andrews Car Park (2 Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 3AT) - 10 minute walk 

If you do have any further questions regarding the conference, please do not hesitate to contact Briony Ridgwell on b.ridgwell@setrust.co.uk. 

We look forward to seeing you on 28 March.