From empty desks to full potential: Improving school attendance in the UK
Author: Jennifer Haynes
The government is ramping up its efforts to tackle the pressing issue of persistent school absence. With a £15 million investment in an expanded attendance mentoring programme, along with a range of other initiatives, they’re taking more meaningful steps to ensure that all children have the opportunity to thrive. So, why is attendance important? And what exactly does this renewed commitment mean for our schools and young people?
The importance of regular school attendance
It's no secret that regular school attendance is crucial for a child's educational progress, social development, and overall wellbeing. Children who attend school consistently can excel in their learning, develop essential life skills, and benefit from the support that schools provide to both students and their families.
The proof is in the pudding - research has shown that students who miss fewer days perform better academically compared to their peers with lower attendance. Moreover, every day counts, as even a few days of absence can lead to a significant loss of learning time and missed opportunities. (2)
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic is still showing its effects, with persistent absence rates rising to about one in five pupils missing 10% or more of school, and we’ve seen this ourselves in some of our partner schools.
The Government's multifaceted approach
Therefore, the government's renewed focus on attendance is a welcome and much-needed initiative. The £15 million expansion of the attendance mentoring programme will provide one-on-one support to an additional 10,000 children in areas with the worst attendance rates (1). These specialist mentors will work closely with students to address the unique barriers they face.
What do attendance mentors provide?
● Support over a 12 to 20 week period
● A specific plan developed with the pupil to address their barriers to attendance
● Help with managing anxious feelings
● Strategies to develop confidence and self-esteem
● Guidance on establishing consistent routines at home
● Support in accessing wider services
But the government's efforts don't stop there. They are also providing access to mental health professionals in every secondary school, introducing free breakfast clubs in every primary school, and ensuring earlier intervention in mainstream schools for pupils with special needs.
This wide-ranging approach emphasises the fact that poor attendance isn't just about not wanting to come to school - it can be caused by many different factors in a student's life. By addressing these various challenges head-on, they're tackling the root causes of why students might struggle to attend regularly. (1)
Yipiyap’s part in boosting attendance
We've seen firsthand the powerful impact that mentoring can have on improving student attendance.
As a leading provider of in-school and online tutoring in the UK, Yipiyap has witnessed the transformative effects of one-to-one and small-group tutoring sessions. By creating a comfortable and focused learning environment, mentoring can help build confidence, skills, and motivation - all of which can be vital in getting students back into the classroom.
The DfE explored how tutoring is helping to improve pupils attendance, and showcased our work as examples. A student at Nottingham Emmanuel School attendance increased by 15% after receiving tuition from one of our tutors.
This just goes to show; the combination of personalised attention, rapid progress, and the opportunity to develop a meaningful connection through mentoring can be a powerful incentive students to prioritise their education.
Peerscroller, too?
In addition to our traditional tutoring, this year we’ve developed Peerscroller, an educational app that distils the intangible, social and emotional benefits of peer tutoring, into bite-sized, TikTok style videos.
Peerscroller aims to tackle the underlying social and emotional factors that can contribute to poor school attendance, by giving students a safe space to explore topics such as sex and relationships, health and wellbeing, and even the importance of turning up to school!
With the app having launched in September 2024, we’re excited to see the role that Peerscroller can play in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive, both academically and personally.
A bright future for Education
The government's investment in attendance mentoring recognises this crucial fact - that sometimes, all it takes is dedicated, individual support to help a student overcome their barriers to attendance and engagement.
We’re optimistic that this targeted approach, combined with the broader support measures being introduced, will make a real difference in students' lives. After all, when you provide a student with the right support at the right time, remarkable changes can happen - just as we've seen countless times through our tutoring work.
As we look to the future, Yipiyap remains committed to playing our part in this important mission. Because ultimately, every day a student spends in the classroom is an opportunity for growth, learning, and development. And that's something worth investing in.
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