Minister for Schools, Damian Hinds MP, has written to governors and trustees thanking them for their dedication to making schools and trusts a great place for children to learn and ensuring they attend school.

The letter asks governing boards to support the Department’s new attendance campaign – reminding parents that moments matter, attendance counts, setting out practical steps governors can take to encourage good attendance.

The letter follows the publication of new polling results by YouGov, which found that nearly three in 10 parents (28%) agree that the pandemic has shown it is not essential for children to attend school every day.

NGA wants to hear from boards whose schools and trusts have implemented successful attendance improvement strategies. Email fiona.fearon@nga.org.uk for more information.

Read our guidance for more information on the board's role in relation to developing an attendance policy, reviewing attendance data and improving outcomes for all pupils.

Emma Knights, NGA co-chief executive, said:
“NGA welcomes the collaboration and leadership from the Minister for schools, Damian Hinds MP, and the Department for Education in the face of the attendance crisis. Since the pandemic, we have witnessed the worst attendance figures since records began in 2006 as schools are left to deal with a changing society.
There is a plethora of evidence to show how detrimental absenteeism can be to both the short-term and future success of children and young people and we need more urgent and intentional action from across the sector. Governing boards have a pivotal role to play in addressing these challenges faced by families and schools.
We raised the attendance challenge in our manifesto with a call to rebuild attendance support services. We are pleased to see more coordinated attention being paid to the issue and the part played by governors and trustees, but more resources will be needed by time-strapped schools.”