The UK Department for Education has taken a significant step to support thousands of additional pupils in schools by announcing the expansion of attendance hubs. This expansion, unveiled on September 28, 2023, marks a pivotal moment in the government’s effort to enhance school attendance and bolster student well-being.
The UK Department for Education’s recent initiatives to improve school attendance and student well-being reflect a commitment to providing a high-quality education for all. The expansion of attendance hubs, the engagement of national leaders, and the expansion of attendance mentoring programs demonstrate a collective effort to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic and ensure that children do not miss out on their educational opportunities. By emphasizing the importance of regular school attendance, the government aims to improve student attainment, foster positive mental health, and build a stronger future economy.
These initiatives are not only addressing current attendance issues but also building a framework for ongoing collaboration and support among schools across the country, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that every child has access to the education they need to reach their full potential.
Expanding Attendance Hubs:
The crux of these initiatives revolves around the expansion of attendance hubs, spearheaded by schools with exceptional attendance records. These hubs serve as invaluable platforms for sharing knowledge and practical ideas to promote attendance in primary, secondary, alternative provision, and special schools. The government’s mission is clear: to provide unwavering support to schools in need of assistance to boost their attendance rates. The four newly announced attendance hubs, located in Nottinghamshire, Grimsby, and Swindon (comprising St Giles Special School, John Whitgift Academy, Ridgeway School, and The Croft Primary School), will significantly bolster this support system.
Key Role of Lead Hub Schools:
Lead hub schools play a pivotal role in disseminating best practices for improving attendance. This includes creating a welcoming school environment, cultivating strong relationships with families, effectively collaborating with various services, and leveraging data to identify at-risk students for early intervention. Furthermore, these lead hubs advocate for the use of extra-curricular activities, such as school trips and sports teams, to create a positive school culture that motivates students to attend school regularly.
Government’s Dedication:
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has underscored the government’s steadfast dedication to ensuring that children receive a high-quality education and do not miss out on crucial learning years. The expansion of attendance hubs stands as a testament to this commitment. These hubs provide schools with essential tools and strategies to reduce student absenteeism and create a positive learning environment.
Attendance Action Alliance:
In its mission to address barriers to attendance, the Department for Education established the Attendance Action Alliance. This collaborative effort brings together leaders from various sectors, including education, children’s social care, and related services, to collectively raise school attendance levels and reduce persistent absence.
Support from National Leaders:
National leaders in the education sector have been actively involved in supporting the creation and expansion of attendance hubs. CEO of Northern Education Trust, Rob Tarn, initiated the first attendance hub at North Shore Academy, providing techniques, resources, and advice to other schools on how to enhance attendance. The success of this model, exemplified by North Shore Academy’s improved attendance rates, is a testament to the effectiveness of these initiatives.
In May, when the UK government launched successful attendance programs, aiming to expand access to education and enhance the well-being of students. These initiatives were a response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, with a primary goal of ensuring that more children are actively engaged in their education.
Nick Gibb, Schools Minister, emphasized the paramount importance of classroom learning. He acknowledged the profound impact of the pandemic on student attendance, an issue that has persisted even as attendance rates gradually recover. To address this, the government unveiled an expansion of attendance measures, notably attendance hubs and mentoring programs, all designed to provide children with a high-quality education
Emma Ramsay, Assistant Director of Barnardo’s North, expressed great enthusiasm regarding the expansion of the Attendance Mentor pilot into new areas. Barnardo’s, a prominent children’s charity, is eager to collaborate with schools, local authorities, families, and students facing attendance challenges. Their focus extends to areas such as Doncaster, Salford, Stoke on Trent, and Knowsley, where they are committed to helping students overcome attendance barriers and ensuring access to a quality education.
Rob Tarn, CEO of Northern Education Trust, shed light on the positive impact of the North Shore attendance hub. He also acknowledged the enduring challenges in securing better attendance, an ongoing struggle faced by schools across the country. With the increase in the number of attendance hubs and collaborative initiatives, organizations are poised to no longer feel isolated. This expansion allows for the sharing of best practices and innovative ideas, thereby creating a supportive network for schools that are dedicated to addressing attendance issues.
Expanding Attendance Mentoring:
In addition to attendance hubs, the government has expanded its attendance mentoring program. Delivered by children’s charity Barnardo’s, this program directly supports persistently and severely absent students and their families. Trained mentors collaborate with families and students to understand and overcome barriers to attendance, with a particular focus on areas with high pupil absence.
The new measures expand upon the existing government attendance strategy, which features updated expectations outlined in school, trust, and local authority guidelines. Additionally, it includes a national attendance data dashboard for real-time data to aid schools in assisting the most at-risk students. The strategy also encompasses the efforts of the National Attendance Action Alliance
Evidence-Based Approach:
These initiatives are rooted in evidence that higher attendance is closely linked to improved student attainment across all key stages. Regular school attendance also has a positive impact on the mental health and well-being of young learners. It lays the foundation for a stronger future economy, aligning with the Prime Minister’s priorities.
Call for Evidence on Children Missing Education:
To better understand the issue of children missing education, the Department for Education has initiated a call for evidence. Local authorities, schools, and relevant agencies are invited to share insights into the challenges and solutions related to children not on a school roll or suitably home-educated. This evidence will play a crucial role in shaping future policies to support these children.
