The Education Minister has today published new
guidance to help schools to work with families and relevant
agencies to make sure learners come to school.
said: “Since the pandemic,
too many young people are missing out on invaluable school time.
This can impact on their wellbeing, their social skills, and
their education. We can be in no doubt that our education
system is still very much recovering from the impact of the
pandemic. Schools have been working hard to support learners back
into to the classroom, but this is a crisis which needs a
national approach. It is my number one priority.”
Early identification and prevention are essential. The Welsh
Government will change the statistical definition of persistent
absence from missing 20% of sessions to 10% of sessions. Absence
is often a symptom of an underlying issue – the sooner schools
can identify it, the sooner they can support the learner and
ensure they are in school.
Attendance issues are often a symptom of an underlying cause
other than physical health, like wellbeing or mental health
issues. For some, it can be because of interlinked factors. When
this is the case, families need help from specialist agencies and
wider services. This guidance highlights the need for schools to
work with the appropriate agencies to make sure learners get the
support they need.
Building good relationships with families and support agencies is
key. One school that has taken action to improve school
attendance is Pontypridd High School. Staff analysed data and
found that learners eligible for free school meals had
significantly worse attendance, as well as learners who did not
engage well with schoolwork during lockdown. The school has
provided extra support for pupils with significant attendance
concerns including youth workers, counsellors and introduced a
school EBSA room (Emotionally based school avoidance).
Attendance will improve if learners want to come to school and
find learning and activities interesting and relevant. The new
guidance is learner-focussed, emphasising the importance of
seeking the views of children and parents on development and
implementation of school policies. Getting parents involved is
also part of the Welsh Government’s Community Focused Schools
approach, which sees schools supporting the needs of learners,
families and their wider community
The guidance also sets out the Welsh Government’s position on
fines, which should only be used as a last resort after all other
options have been exhausted. A warning should be issued in the
first instance. Schools should also consider whether a fine will
be effective in getting a child back to school.
said: “The new guidance will
help schools in tackling this national issue. Making sure
children are back in the classroom is our number one priority.
By working together we will ensure that all children and
young people are given the best possible start in life and are
supported to reach their potential.”
Notes to editors
- We have provided over £6.5m in funding this financial year
for more Family Engagement Officers;
- We have provided £2.5m for Education Welfare Officers to
provide more support for learners with high absence;
- We are updating the All Wales Attendance Framework;
- Estyn have strengthened their reporting requirements on
attendance; and
- We are now requiring all schools to make available their
attendance policies – to allow a greater focus on the policy.
