The session was organised by Brooke Weston Trust’s EWO, Martine Boyd. She said: ‘We decided to hold a group for professionals in Corby who deal with attendance because of collective difficulties we have faced. We have come together as a large group within Corby to discuss and iron out the common difficulties that we face but also to support each other.

‘Some schools have struggled more than others because they haven’t had enough support or staff so it is a way of sharing expertise and best practice.’
Delegates from 28 schools across Corby were invited to attend and, if successful, it is likely the support network will be replicated in Kettering as well.

Ms Leanne Cowie from Woodnewton Academy Trust said: ‘It has been really useful for coming up with strategies. Everyone has had the same problems and it has been extremely helpful talking to others, especially Martine with how knowledgeable she is with the system. It is all about sharing backgrounds, problems you have been having and strategies moving forward to make jobs a bit more streamlined. Martine is able to give us the updates because there have been so many changes and restructures and she has also updated us on the new legislation which will help going forward.’