This report by SIMS into student and pupil absenteeism has found that 59% of schools report absenteeism has worsened since the start of the pandemic. It explores the causes behind absence and reveals that a majority of schools (60%) believe greater engagement is the key to tackling absenteeism.
The report revealed widespread concerns about the lack of parental engagement - and the policy of fining the parents of regularly absent children was found to be supported by a majority of respondents (56%). Almost a quarter (23%) wanted to see the fines increased, though academic opinion on the effectiveness of sanctions is split.
Linked to behavioural issues and poor academic attainment, the long-term effects of absenteeism are well known. But whilst absenteeism is not new phenomenon, it has become more widespread – thanks, in part, to COVID-19.
The survey of 500 UK headteachers, heads of year, teachers and school administrators, found that 75% of teachers rate absenteeism as a problem in their school. Perhaps surprisingly, teachers report the scale of absenteeism similarly between primary (74%) and secondary (76%) schools.
Teachers whose schools are located in a city are more likely to rate absenteeism as a problem, compared to those in towns or villages.