This week I highlight new school attendance expectations which will come into force in September next year and updated non-statutory guidance on school uniform to support schools in development and implementing their uniform policy.

New attendance expectations issued
Minister for Early Education, Olivia Bailey, has written to governors and trustees explaining the introduction of Attendance Baseline Improvement Expectations (ABIEs). The DfE will use AI to curate these school-specific expectations for each academic year based on historical data, location, pupil needs and deprivation.

Schools who consistently or significantly miss ABIEs will be signposted to further support like joining an attendance and behaviour hub. While this initiative will not come into force until September 2026, schools have received an indicative ABIE for the 2025/26 academic year in their similar schools report to help prepare.

You can sign up to a DfE webinar on Tuesday 25 November from 4-4.45pm, to find out more about ABIEs.

Further updates to school uniform guidance
Alongside recent updates to statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms, the DfE has also renewed its non-statutory guidance that supports schools in developing and implementing their school uniform policy. New suggestions include considering:

• points of contact for families and pupils who need support with uniform
• whether to make your position on political impartiality clear in the uniform policy, including rules around badges and similar items
• how to mitigate any negative impact on pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• how to reduce peer pressure to wear designer sportswear and avoid extra cost for parents