School attendance strategy

Missing sessions means children fall behind. This not only impacts on their future achievement, but also adds additional stress and worry as the child attempts to catch up. This can affect their mental health and that of their family.

The evidence of the impact on non-attendance on achievement is very clear. The DfE release, Short breaks damage young people’s futures in 2015 outlined the following links:  

• pupils with the lowest 5% of absence rates were more than four times more likely to achieve 5 good GCSEs, including English and maths, and 22 times more likely to achieve the English Baccalaureate, than pupils with the highest 5% of absence rates
• pupils with no absence from school were nearly three times more likely to achieve 5 A* to C GCSEs, including English and Maths, and around 10 times more likely to achieve the English Baccalaureate, than pupils missing 15 to 20% of school across key stage four
• primary school pupils with no absence were around 1.5 times more likely to achieve the expected level (level 4 or above), and 4.5 times more likely to achieve above the expected level (level 5 or above), than pupils that missed 15 to 20% of key stage two

Covid19 has disrupted any progress made on pupil achievement since 2015. The correlation between attendance and achievement continues at the same, if not higher, rate.

However, school is not just a place for academic learning it also:

• is a place where children make early, lifelong friendships, learn about themselves and find out what they are good at and passionate about
• shapes choices that help children make a positive contribution to society and live a happy, balanced life
• provides structure and routine where this may be missing at home
• provides the care of other adults who they may learn to trust
• can be a safe, supportive environment where its focus is solely to ensure the success and wellbeing of the children in its care 

Children who do not attend school or any other educational provision not only miss out on the opportunity to do well academically but also on the wider supportive network that schools provide. There are strong links between children missing from school and child exploitation and involvement in criminal activity. 90% of young offenders have been persistently absent from school (A Ministry of Justice report published in June 2018). There is also a strong correlation between poor attendance and the mental health of young people. Children of today face many challenges to their safety and well-being.  The role of school has become an integral part in keeping children safe from harm.  School helps them navigate the complexities of growing up in today’s society.

In summary, going to school provides the right environment, for the majority of our children, to achieve:

• good educational outcomes in school and further or higher education
• a happier and positive view on life in and out of school
• good relationships, trust and a sense of belonging for marginalised children and their families
• improved confidence and resilience 
• good mental health 
• low risk of child exploitation, anti-social behaviour and other safeguarding concerns
• employability 

Some parents take the serious decision to take their children out of school to home educate them. Whilst this is parental choice and the right decision for some children and families, it should not be a response to a child’s inability to cope with school and other factors impacting on their lives. It is the role of the ‘team around the child’ to ensure that all barriers are removed to allow the child to get the education they choose and deserve.