DfE announces national drive to improve school attendance

The Department for Education has allocated £15 million to drive up school attendance and tackle persistent absences.

18 new attendance hubs will be launched across 6 regions, bringing the total to 32 and will see nearly 2,000 schools helped to tackle persistent absence.

The hubs are run by schools with excellent attendance that share practical ideas with other primary, secondary, alternative provision and special schools in England who need help to boost their attendance.

The government is also increasing the direct support offered to children and their families with the expansion of the attendance mentor pilot programme.

Backed by an investment of up to £15 million, over 3 years, this programme will provide direct intensive support to more than 10,000 persistent and severely absent pupils and their families. 

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said “The benefits of our success in raising education standards can only be when all children are in school.

Tackling attendance is my number one priority. We want all our children to have the best start in life because we know that attending school is vital to a child’s wellbeing, development, and attainment as well as impact future career success.”

Children’s Commissioner Rachel De Souza said “I am hopeful that these measures will arm local authorities and schools with real-time information about school absence rates and provide vital support for children who face barriers to attending school.”