The national attendance challenge and the impact of persistent absence 

The national attendance challenge is a growing concern within the British education system, with over 1.6 million children persistently absent from school. This issue is so widespread that these absences could fill every seat in every Premier League football stadium. The Department for Education reports a doubling in the number of absent students in England since the pandemic, with nearly a quarter of these absences lacking a clear excuse. This trend poses a significant challenge to educators, policymakers, and society as a whole.

Introducing the Attendance Mentors Pilot Expansion (AMPE) project

In response to this pressing issue, Etio has been awarded the Attendance Mentors Pilot Expansion (AMPE) project by the Department for Education. This three-year programme will operate in 40 secondary schools across 10 priority areas, aiming to mentor over 10,000 pupils. The pilot seeks to provide a comprehensive evidence base to determine effective strategies for reducing persistent absence.

The cost of persistent absence

The personal and societal costs of persistent absence are substantial. A growing number of parents seem to hold the belief that daily school attendance is not essential, a mindset enabling ongoing absences. More worryingly, there is a serious safeguarding concern, as absenteeism increases the risk of children falling victim to criminal or sexual exploitation and serious violence.

The financial implications are equally concerning. According to the "Misspent Youth: The Costs of Truancy and Exclusion" report by the NPC, truancy costs the UK economy £800 million annually, amounting to £8.8 billion over the typical 11 years a child spends in school. Addressing preventable absences could save an estimated £3.8 billion, equating to £354 million per year. Every £1 invested in addressing absence reportedly yields £11.60 in savings over a child's working lifetime.

Understanding the root causes

Reports by ImpactEd Evaluation, part of the AMPE delivery consortium, delve deeper into the intersectional factors contributing to absence. These studies suggest that creating a sense of belonging and implementing long-term approaches are crucial in addressing this issue. Without such interventions, the compounding effects of lost learning could severely impact student attainment and their ability to contribute to society in the long term.

The role of AMPE in supporting pupils

The AMPE project aims to support pupils over a 12 to 20-week period, developing tailored action plans to address specific attendance barriers. Attendance mentors will provide one-to-one support to persistently absent secondary school pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or mental health challenges. The support may involve helping pupils manage anxiety, build confidence, establish consistent routines, and access additional support services.

A call for further evaluation and expansion

Addressing the national attendance challenge is paramount to securing the future of our children and society. By investing in evidence-based solutions and expanding successful models, we can work towards ensuring every child has access to quality education and the support they need to thrive.

One of the key recommendations from a new report 'School Absence Tracker' by the Centre for Social Justice  is that the The Department for Education should roll out a full national programme of attendance mentors. These mentors would work with families to understand and remove the underlying barriers to school attendance. Other recommendations from the report also include: for current Department for Education guidance on attendance should be made statutory and for family Hubs should be integrated with existing school services and collocated within schools.