The Department for Education has confirmed that every mainstream state school in England will be set its own attendance target from September 2026, as part of a government drive to tackle rising Friday absences. Under the Labour government, each school's performance will be monitored for the first time, with the new targets taking local circumstances into account.
Education minister Paul Waugh has asked schools to focus on Fridays, which he describes as a “particular weak spot” for attendance, and to consider putting on “clubs and enrichment” at the end of the week. The move follows data showing that absence rates are higher on Fridays, and that progress in improving overall attendance has slowed.
Friday absences under scrutiny
Speaking to the I paper, Waugh said: “It’s possible that where pupils are less engaged with school overall, Friday is becoming a particular weak spot for attendance.” He added that the DfE is encouraging schools to share strategies such as “putting on interesting clubs and enrichment on Fridays, so every child stays engaged right through to the end of the week”.
The government will also investigate why illness-related absence has surged by almost a quarter on Fridays. Waugh attributed this to an “unusually early winter flu season” followed by “extreme heat that disrupted learning across the country”, which he said had a “real impact on attendance”.
New targets and support for schools
Under the change, schools that are off-track will be checked to ensure they are aware and taking action, and may be directed towards best-practice guidance or a local behaviour and attendance hub. Schools will also get access to more data tools over the coming year to help spot pupils drifting away from regular attendance earlier.
Waugh, who was appointed to a ministerial position by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, wrote that the government must go further by “raising expectations, giving every school a clear improvement target”. He added: “Each target will respect local challenges while making clear that every school has a role to play in helping improve attendance over time.”
Impact on schools and pupils
The new attendance targets will apply to all mainstream state schools in England from September 2026. The government expects that by setting individual targets, schools will be better equipped to address local challenges while improving overall attendance. The focus on Friday enrichment activities is intended to keep pupils engaged throughout the school week, reducing the end-of-week dip in attendance.
The DfE will monitor each school's performance against its target, with support available for those that fall behind. This marks a significant shift in how attendance is managed, with a greater emphasis on proactive measures and data-driven intervention. The government hopes these changes will lead to sustained improvements in school attendance across the country.
