Missed our ESOL webinar? Watch the playback!
Watch playback

4 February 2025

Navigating attendance code compliance in online education

Accurate attendance tracking is fundamental to education, not just for compliance but for safeguarding and student success. Schools and local authorities are under increasing pressure to ensure that every student is accounted for, engaged, and making progress. With the Department for Education’s (DfE) latest attendance guidance (August 2024) reinforcing the distinction between physical and online attendance, schools must have robust tracking systems in place. 
 
We understand that changes to attendance codes have made this more complex, and we recognise the challenges schools face in balancing compliance with doing what is right for their students. Attendance data matters, but so does ensuring every child has access to education. The priority must always be that students are learning, engaged, and supported—regardless of the impact on recorded attendance figures. 


Supporting schools with attendance compliance and student engagement 

To remain compliant with attendance regulations, schools should maintain accurate records and adopt in-house methods for tracking and reporting student attendance. Tute Education supports this process by: 
 
– Providing detailed attendance reports for school records and audits. 
– Enabling progress and engagement monitoring. 
– Sending automated alerts when a student does not attend a session. 
– Reporting on student engagement during lessons. 
– Evaluating each student’s progress to ensure they are meeting their learning goals. 
– Assisting schools in implementing structured review processes to assess attendance, engagement, progress, and the ongoing suitability of online provision. 


Ensuring high standards in online education 

Tute Education is committed to delivering quality-assured online education, with safeguarding at the core of our provision. As a provider seeking accreditation under the Online Education Accreditation Scheme (OEAS), Tute upholds rigorous standards to ensure the highest levels of educational quality and child protection. Schools can be confident that our live, interactive lessons provide a structured, engaging, and Ofsted-quality assured learning experience. 


Aligning with DfE’s ‘Working Together to Improve Attendance’ guidance 

The DfE’s ‘Working Together to Improve Attendance’ guidance emphasises the importance of a whole-school approach to improving student attendance. Schools are encouraged to: 
 
– Establish clear expectations and accountability for attendance monitoring. 
– Develop early intervention strategies for students at risk of persistent absence. 
– Work collaboratively with external providers to ensure consistent engagement. 
– Use attendance data to identify trends and inform targeted support strategies. 
 
Tute Education complements these efforts by offering a robust attendance tracking system that integrates seamlessly with school reporting processes. Our real-time monitoring, automated alerts, and detailed progress reports empower schools to take proactive steps in supporting student engagement and attendance. 


A holistic approach to attendance and engagement 

 
By combining attendance tracking with high-quality teaching, personalised support, and structured progress monitoring, Tute ensures that online education remains an effective and compliant solution for schools and local authorities. Our commitment to safeguarding, quality assurance, and ongoing evaluation means that students receive the best possible educational experience, while schools maintain full visibility and control over attendance and engagement. 


For more information on how Tute Education can support your school’s attendance and compliance needs, visit www.tute.com or please do get in touch with us, we’re always happy to talk.

Julie Kelsall, Head of Partner Success 

Try Tute for free

We know that choosing online provision can feel like a big step, so experiencing it first is important - both for students and for you. There’s no commitment, no obligation, just a chance to see how Tute works.

Book a free taster lesson for students, join a session yourself, or arrange a consultation to ask any questions. Simply fill in this form, and we’ll be in touch.