A national TV, radio and multi-media campaign that aims to
improve school attendance by supporting parents, carers, and
teachers to make school a positive experience for all children
has been launched.
Education Secretary joined pupils and teachers
at Pathhead Primary in Kirkcaldy to launch the campaign, which
deals with the root causes of absences, and identifies ways to
approach conversations about wellbeing that can help pupils to
improve their attendance.
The campaign highlights new resources available on Parent Club,
the Scottish Government's information hub offering advice and
support for parents and carers. The advice aims to support
conversations between families, pupils and their teachers, to
identify and help overcome the issues behind why a child may be
reluctant to go to school. It complements existing guidance from
Education Scotland to support schools and councils to improve
attendance.
Ms Gilruth said:
“We know that too many young people are missing school for
reasons that can be tough on them and their families. While the
most recent figures show a slight increase in attendance, rates
remain lower than they were before the pandemic.
“The underlying issues that drive poor attendance can be complex
and unique – young people may struggle due to anxiety, additional
support needs, or reluctance to attend – and this can leave
parents and guardians feeling frustrated and powerless.
“There is no quick fix for improving school attendance – it is a
journey that parents, schools, and pupils must to take together,
and which the new resources on Parent Club can help them
navigate.”
Pathhead Primary School has seen improvements in attendance
through a combination of universal and targeted interventions,
underlined by strong parent-school partnerships. The school has a
dedicated Attendance Team – known as the A-Team – which involves
leadership, administration and family workers. It works to build
positive relationships with families and to support every child
facing attendance challenges.
Pathhead Primary Headteacher Jillian Mellis said:
“We have worked together with staff, families and children to
improve attendance at Pathhead Primary School and have seen
significant gains over the last few years. Understanding the
challenges and barriers for our children and families has been
crucial to improving attendance and relationships are at the
heart of everything we do. Communication is supported
universally, and we are rigorous in our processes when children
do not attend.
“Keeping in touch, receiving practical and emotional support and
ensuring a warm welcome from everyone is the approach we all use
at Pathhead. Families and staff report the impact of this on
wellbeing and achievement, not only for the children but for the
whole family and wider community."
Background
Parent Club has tips and
advice for parents and carers if their child is struggling to go
to school.
The overall persistent absence rate for the 2023-24 school year
was 31.4%, a slight decrease compared with 2022-23 when it was
32.5%. However, the rate remains much higher than the ten years
prior to the Covid pandemic, when it ranged from 19.1% to 21.8%.
‘Persistent absence' is defined as pupils missing “10% or more of
their possible sessions”. This equates to one day a fortnight.
These figures include absence due to illness.
The £320,000 national school attendance campaign will run for
four weeks across TV, radio, static ads including posters, and
digital mediums between 30 October and 30 November.
Education Scotland report
Improving Attendance: Understanding the issues.
Notes to editors
A TV advert that forms part of the campaign can be accessed
here for use in reporting.
