A guest blog by Sarah Garner, Deputy CEO, Unity Schools Partnership.
In many organisations, particularly in the educational sector, a vicious circle often emerges, linking attendance, outcomes, reputation, and funding. This self-perpetuating cycle can have detrimental effects on the sustainability and success of an organisation. Understanding this cycle is crucial for stakeholders to develop strategies to break free from its negative impact.
Attendance
Attendance is a fundamental component of any educational system, as it directly influences students’ engagement and learning experiences. Low attendance rates can lead to significant gaps in knowledge and skills, impeding students’ abilities to perform well academically. Furthermore, chronic absenteeism is often indicative of broader systemic issues within the institution, such as lack of support, unengaging curriculum, or inadequate resources.
Outcomes
The outcomes of a school, encompassing both academic results and broader student development, are highly dependent on attendance. Poor attendance typically results in lower academic performance, which in turn affects results in internal and national exams. These subpar outcomes reflect negatively on the school and can hinder its ability to attract and retain students.
Reputation
A school’s reputation is built on its ability to deliver positive outcomes. When students do not perform well, either academically or in extra-curricular or enrichment activities, it tarnishes the school’s image. Prospective students and their families will reflect on the school’s reputation when making decisions about enrolment. A damaged reputation can lead to decreased admissions, exacerbating the issues of low attendance and poor outcomes.
Funding
Funding is critical for the operation and improvement of schools. Public funding sources are indirectly linked to a school’s reputation and performance when allocating resources through the number of students taking a place at the school. Declining attendance, outcomes, and reputation therefore will result in reduced funding, which further limits the school’s ability to address the root causes of its problems. This reduction in resources can lead to cuts in staff, programs, resource and support services, creating an environment that perpetuates the vicious circle.
Breaking the Vicious Circle
To break free from this detrimental cycle, schools must adopt a multifaceted approach that addresses each component of the circle. Strategies may include:
- Implementing initiatives to improve student (and staff) engagement and attendance, such as personalised learning plans and targeted support services.
- Enhancing academic outcomes through curriculum reform and pedagogy, professional development for educators, and increased access to learning resources.
- Investing in marketing and community outreach to rebuild and maintain a positive reputation.
- Investment in staff, happy staff equals happy (attending) children, staff wellbeing, workload, professional development, staff incentives and benefits schemes.
- Financing of capital programmes to enhance and improve learning areas, keeping children engaged, inspired, warm and safe.
- Advocating for stable and adequate funding from governmental and Local Authorities to support long-term institutional improvements particularly with regards to SEND.
By addressing the interconnected aspects of attendance, outcomes, reputation, and funding, institutions can create a positive feedback loop that fosters growth and success, ultimately breaking the vicious circle.