The Department for Education, under Education Secretary Lucy Powell and Prime Minister Andy Burnham, has confirmed that from September, every state school in England will receive personalised pupil attendance targets. These targets will be monitored to drive up attendance rates, marking a significant shift in policy aimed at tackling persistent absence.
Personalised Targets to Address Local Challenges
Education minister Paul Waugh explained that the new attendance targets would take each school's local challenges into account, but emphasised that "every school has a role to play to improve attendance." This tailored approach is designed to recognise the diverse circumstances faced by schools across the country, from rural communities to inner-city areas.
Recent attendance statistics show that "progress has slowed over the past year," according to Waugh. He said the government's response needed to be "broader, smarter and more ambitious" to reverse this trend and bring absence rates back down to pre-pandemic levels.
Union Concerns and Wider Issues
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the schools leaders' union NAHT, responded to the announcement by highlighting the difficulty of the task. He said Thursday's attendance data showed "just how hard it is to drive absence rates back down to pre-pandemic levels." Whiteman stressed that schools already go "above and beyond" in encouraging attendance, but argued that "it isn't a problem that they can solve alone or that government targets will fix."
He pointed to underlying causes: "The issue often has roots beyond the classroom, from illness and mental health challenges to poverty and unmet special educational needs." This suggests that while targets are welcome, they must be part of a broader strategy addressing social and health inequalities.
Earlier Intervention and Friday Focus
Under the new system, schools will be able to identify concerns earlier and be "intervening more quickly when pupils begin to drift away from regular attendance," Waugh said. This proactive approach aims to prevent absence from becoming habitual.
Waugh also highlighted that Fridays are "becoming a particular weak spot for attendance." He called on schools to organise interesting clubs and enrichment sessions on Fridays "so every child stays engaged right through to the end of the week." This practical suggestion could help schools tackle one of the most common days for unauthorised absence.
Parental Advice from Headteacher
Primary school headteacher Dave McPartlin, speaking to the BBC, offered advice for parents to improve their children's attendance. He suggested that parents attend school events such as coffee mornings, assemblies, and parents' evenings to build a strong relationship between school and home. This engagement, he argued, fosters a sense of community and encourages regular attendance.
The announcement marks a clear policy direction under the new Labour government, with a focus on accountability and support. Schools will now need to prepare for the implementation of these targets, which will be closely watched by parents, unions, and education experts alike.
