Introduction

The barriers to accessing education are wide and complex, both within and beyond the school gates, and are often specific to individual pupils and families. Good attendance begins with school being somewhere pupils want to be and therefore the foundation of securing good attendance is that school is a calm, orderly, safe, and supportive environment where all pupils are keen and ready to learn. (Department for Education, 2024)

The roles and responsibilities of schools and academies, local authorities, statutory safeguarding partners and other local partners are clearly set out within the Department for Education’s (DfE) Working together to improve school attendance guidance.

The Law on School Attendance and Right to a Full-time Education

The law entitles every child of compulsory school age to an efficient, full-time education suitable to their age, aptitude, and any special educational need they may have. It is the legal responsibility of every parent to make sure their child receives that education either by attendance at a school or by education otherwise than at a school. (Department for Education, August 2024)

DfE guidance clearly states that improving school attendance can only be achieved by different organisations working collaboratively to understand and address the root causes of absence.

Partners across Gloucestershire are therefore committed to working together to improve attendance. Underpinning this commitment is the evidence that access to education and regular attendance is key to the holistic development of children and young people; supports health and wellbeing, enhances academic progress and achievements, and consequently impacts on longer-term outcomes.