UK Government Launches Ambitious Initiatives to Boost School Attendance and Tackle Persistent Absence"
As students across the United Kingdom return to school, the government unveils robust measures aimed at driving up attendance and addressing persistent absence issues. With a focus on supporting over one million children and young people, these initiatives represent a major expansion of attendance hubs, offering tailored assistance to families and pupils to enhance their time in school.
The comprehensive plan involves the establishment of 18 new attendance hubs spanning six regions, bringing the total to 32 and aiding nearly 2,000 schools in tackling persistent absence. These hubs, run by schools with exemplary attendance records, share practical ideas with other institutions, including primary, secondary, alternative provision, and special schools, to bolster their attendance strategies.
The support provided by lead hub schools encompasses a range of initiatives, from direct pupil engagement through breakfast clubs and extracurricular activities to refining processes and analyzing attendance data. This collaborative approach aims to empower schools in customizing support for their unique circumstances.
In addition to expanding attendance hubs, the government announces an increase in direct support through the attendance mentor pilot program. With an investment of up to £15 million over three years, the program will deliver intensive support to over 10,000 persistently absent pupils and their families. Trained attendance mentors will work in ten additional areas, supplementing the existing pilot program with Barnardo's.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan emphasizes the significance of school attendance, making it a top priority. The government's goal is to ensure that all children have the best start in life, recognizing the vital role of school attendance in a child's well-being, development, and academic achievement.
Children's Commissioner Rachel De Souza applauds the government's initiatives, echoing the importance of school attendance and its impact on children's education and overall well-being. She expresses hope that these measures will provide essential support to children facing barriers to attending school.
Barnardo's Chief Executive Lynn Perry MBE commends the success of the attendance mentoring pilot scheme, emphasizing the positive outcomes achieved by working individually with children to address various concerns affecting their attendance.
The launch of a national communications campaign, titled "Moments Matter, Attendance Counts," aims to highlight the importance of attendance for academic achievement, well-being, and overall development. The campaign also includes advice for parents and carers, including guidelines from the Chief Medical Officer on attendance and illness.
Looking ahead, the government commits to further legislation requiring all schools to share their daily registers, modernizing data recording practices and enabling schools to identify and address attendance issues promptly. These initiatives collectively underscore the government's commitment to fostering a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.
