Government Rolls Out Crackdown on School Absenteeism
As millions of kids head back to class, the government has launched a no-nonsense plan to smash persistent absenteeism once and for all. Targeting over one million children, the scheme will expand attendance hubs and pump £15 million into boosting its attendance mentor pilot programme.
18 New Attendance Hubs to Tackle Truancy
The plan includes setting up 18 new attendance hubs in six regions, doubling the total to 32. Run by schools that already boast top attendance rates, these hubs will support nearly 2,000 schools across England—from primaries to special schools.
Lead hub schools will deploy tailored tactics to get kids through the doors. This means hands-on initiatives like breakfast clubs and extracurricular activities plus smarter attendance data management, all designed to tackle absenteeism on a local level.
£15 Million Boost for Attendance Mentor Pilot
The government’s £15 million investment over three years will beef up attendance mentor support for 10,000+ pupils with chronic absence issues. Starting September 2024, the programme will extend to ten more areas, joining the existing pilots in Middlesbrough, Doncaster, Knowsley, Salford, and stoke-on-trent/" title="Stoke-on-Trent" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Stoke-on-Trent.
Attendance mentors pair up with pupils and their families, digging into the root causes of skipping school—whether it’s bullying, family finances, or mental health issues—to deliver bespoke support and bridge gaps between home and school.
Top Brass Praise New Measures
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said, “School attendance is crucial for children’s well-being, learning, and future success. Thanks to teachers and heads, we’ve cut persistent absenteeism by 380,000 children.”
Children’s Commissioner Rachel De Souza welcomed the move, stating, “These measures reflect my recommendations and will support schools and local authorities in overcoming attendance barriers.”
Barnardo’s CEO Lynn Perry MBE added, “The mentor scheme works because it builds trust and tackles children’s real worries like bullying and mental health.”
‘Moments Matter, Attendance Counts’ Campaign & Tougher Rules on Registers
The government has also launched a national campaign, ‘Moments Matter, Attendance Counts,’ to stress why showing up matters and provide parents with expert advice on attendance and illness from the Chief Medical Officer.
New legislation coming soon will force all schools to share daily attendance registers. This upgrade aims to modernise how attendance data is recorded and flagged, helping schools spot and act on attendance issues earlier.
This sweeping strategy aims to give every child the best possible start by making sure they don’t miss out on key school moments that shape their future.
