As students return to school, the government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to enhance school attendance and address persistent absenteeism. The initiative, aimed at supporting over one million children and young people, includes the expansion of attendance hubs and the allocation of £15 million to extend the attendance mentor pilot program.
To tackle absenteeism effectively, the government plans to establish 18 new attendance hubs across six regions, bringing the total to 32. These hubs, managed by schools with exemplary attendance records, will offer tailored support to nearly 2,000 schools, including primary, secondary, alternative provision, and special schools throughout England.
The support provided by lead hub schools encompasses various strategies, ranging from direct engagement with pupils through initiatives such as breakfast clubs and extracurricular activities to enhancing attendance data analysis and management processes. These strategies are designed to empower schools to improve attendance in a manner suited to their specific pupils and families.
In addition to expanding the attendance hubs, the government will increase support to children and their families through the attendance mentor pilot program. With an investment of up to £15 million over three years, this program will deliver intensive support to over 10,000 pupils who are persistently or severely absent, as well as their families. From September 2024, the program will extend to ten additional areas, complementing the existing pilot program with Barnardo’s, which is currently operational in Middlesbrough, Doncaster, Knowsley, Salford, and Stoke-on-Trent.
The attendance mentor program pairs trained mentors with pupils who have persistent absenteeism issues, working collaboratively with both the children and their families to identify and address the root causes of non-attendance. This approach may lead to additional support, closer cooperation with teachers, or assistance in bridging the gap between the school and the family.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan emphasized the importance of school attendance for children’s well-being, development, attainment, and future career success. She expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of teachers, heads, and all stakeholders in reducing persistent absenteeism, which has seen 380,000 fewer children in this category.
Children’s Commissioner Rachel De Souza welcomed the government’s commitment to school attendance and the measures introduced in line with her recommendations from the previous year. She stressed the significance of these initiatives in supporting local authorities, schools, and children facing barriers to attendance.
Chief Executive of Barnardo’s, Lynn Perry MBE, highlighted the positive impact of the Attendance Mentoring pilot scheme. The program’s success is attributed to the individualized approach taken by mentors, focusing on building trust and addressing concerns children may have, such as family finances, bullying, or mental health issues.
A national communication campaign, titled ‘Moments Matter, Attendance Counts,’ has been launched to underscore the importance of attendance for children’s development, well-being, and academic achievement. It also provides guidance for parents and carers, including advice from the Chief Medical Officer on attendance and illness.
Furthermore, the government is committed to introducing legislation in the coming months, requiring all schools to share their daily registers. This legislative change, combined with reforms in pupil registration practices, aims to modernize attendance data recording and sharing, providing schools with early insights and interventions for pupils displaying concerning attendance patterns.
The government’s comprehensive approach to addressing absenteeism aims to ensure that every child has the best start in life by fostering regular school attendance
