Schools are to receive personalized attendance targets as part of a strategy to address learning setbacks caused by the pandemic. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will unveil a roadmap for schools to enhance efforts in reintegrating students into classrooms.
Currently, one-third of schools are struggling to enhance attendance rates. Starting this month, each school will be assigned AI-driven minimum attendance improvement objectives to ensure students are present and prepared for academic success. These targets, known as the attendance baseline improvement expectation (ABIE), will consider various factors like the school’s location, student requirements, and socioeconomic conditions.
The schools will be benchmarked against institutions with a similar demographic profile. Notably, these targets will not be disclosed to Ofsted or used for official assessment purposes. Instead, the data will guide the allocation of support, including through Regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) teams. Additionally, 36 new Attendance and Behaviour Hubs are being launched to provide personalized support to students.
While the initiative aims to boost attendance levels beyond pre-pandemic figures, teaching unions have expressed reservations about the added pressure on schools. Nonetheless, Secretary Phillipson emphasized the importance of student presence in achieving educational success, calling for collective efforts to improve attendance across all schools.
Before the pandemic, the overall absence rate stood at 4.7%, which surged to 7.6% in the 2021/22 academic year. The number of persistently absent students, those missing over 10% of school days, nearly doubled post-pandemic. The Labour party has overseen positive strides, with increased school attendance and fewer persistently absent pupils, striving to revert to pre-pandemic levels.
School leaders’ unions have voiced concerns, highlighting the existing challenges schools face in enhancing attendance. They advocate for practical resources and support rather than additional targets imposed by the government. Emphasizing the need for understanding and tailored interventions, leaders stress the significance of collaborative efforts to address attendance barriers effectively.
By prioritizing access to dedicated school attendance officers and support services, schools can better address underlying factors contributing to absenteeism. The educational sector’s call for comprehensive assistance underscores the complexities schools navigate and the necessity for sustainable solutions amid budget constraints and staffing limitations.
