Schools across England will be set individual attendance targets from September as part of a new government drive to tackle persistent absence levels, Education Minister Paul Waugh has confirmed. The move, announced under Andy Burnham's administration, aims to address the fact that absence rates have not fully recovered since the pandemic.
Targets Tailored to Local Challenges
The Department for Education (DfE) will set bespoke targets for each mainstream school, taking into account local challenges such as deprivation and transport issues. According to the BBC, the DfE will initially contact schools that fail to meet their targets to discuss their individual circumstances before any further action is taken.
Official data shows that absence rates remain above pre-pandemic levels, prompting ministers to act. Waugh emphasized that while targets will be tailored, "every school has a role to play to improve attendance." He added that the government is determined to tackle the issue, which has been a growing concern among education officials.
Financial Penalties and Headteacher Accountability
Parents already face financial penalties for unauthorised absences, with fines of up to £60 per parent per child. The new targets are expected to place additional pressure on headteachers to improve attendance figures, as they will be held accountable for meeting these benchmarks.
The government hopes that by setting clear, measurable goals, schools will be more proactive in identifying and supporting pupils who are at risk of persistent absence. This could include early intervention strategies, such as working with families to address barriers to attendance.
Uniform Cost Limits Announced
In a separate measure, the government has also announced new rules on school uniforms, set to take effect from September, to help ease cost-of-living pressures on families. Schools will be prohibited from requiring parents to purchase more than three items of branded uniform, such as polo shirts, jumpers, or blazers.
Secondary and middle schools may request a fourth item if it is a tie, the government added. This move is designed to reduce the financial burden on parents, who have historically faced high costs for branded clothing that can only be purchased from specific suppliers.
Reaction and Implications
The announcements have been met with mixed reactions. Some education leaders have welcomed the focus on attendance, while others have expressed concerns about the feasibility of setting uniform targets across diverse school contexts. Parent groups have largely praised the uniform cost limits, which they say will make a significant difference to household budgets.
According to recent data, the overall absence rate in England was 5.8% in the 2024/25 academic year, compared to 4.9% before the pandemic. Persistent absence, defined as missing 10% or more of sessions, also remains higher than pre-pandemic levels, affecting around 20% of pupils.
What Happens Next
The DfE will begin implementing the new attendance targets in the autumn term, with schools expected to report on their progress. The government has indicated that it will provide support to schools that struggle to meet their targets, rather than imposing immediate sanctions.
For parents, the message is clear: attendance is a priority, and schools will be under increased scrutiny to ensure pupils are in class. The new uniform rules also signal a shift towards greater affordability, as the government seeks to address the wider cost-of-living crisis.
These changes are part of a broader education agenda under Andy Burnham's government, which has pledged to improve outcomes for all pupils and reduce inequalities in the education system.
