The strategies and activities schools in England can use to help support pupils to return to school after absence will be the focus of a new NFER study.
NFER to conduct new research on tackling pupil absence
Tuesday 8 October 2024
Through a series of case-study visits to secondary maintained schools, NFER will explore what schools are doing to prevent short-term absences from escalating into longer-term issues.
Pupil absence rates have dramatically increased following the Covid-19 pandemic and remain above pre-pandemic levels, particularly in secondary schools, where absence rates are notably higher than in primary schools.
While discussions on school absence often highlight the scale of the problem, this research, due to be published in spring 2025, aims to provide qualitative evidence to support solution-focused conversations about school absence.
The project will involve interviews with staff and focus groups with young people.
Commenting on the upcoming research, Matt Walker, Senior Research Manager at NFER, said:
“Pupils who frequently miss school are more likely to experience lower educational attainment, which can limit their future opportunities and hinder social mobility.
“School absence can also negatively impact pupils’ social and emotional development, while efforts to address low attendance can divert crucial time and resources away from teaching and learning.
“This study will add valuable insights to ongoing discussions about improving school attendance - a challenge that is likely to remain a priority for Government in the coming months and years.”
Schools wanting to take part in the research can express their interest by clicking on the button below.