School absence rates still higher than pre-pandemic

As the new school year approaches, families are being asked to make sure their children attend

Rates of school absences are still higher than they were before the Covid-19 pandemic, a council has said.

Pupils in Hampshire attended about 93.4 per cent of lessons in the 2023-24 academic year, figures show.

In 2018-19 - the last full school year before the pandemic - attendance figures stood at 95.5 per cent.

Ahead of the new term, Hampshire County Council has urged parents and carers to avoid taking children out of school wherever possible.

Attendance rates in Hampshire schools are higher than the national average, which was 92.8 per cent in 2023-24

The authority said the numbers were improving, but that the picture was similar across the country.

Steve Forster, the council's member for education, appealed to families to help keep their children in the classroom.

"A concerted effort across both school and home will give children the strongest possible chances to thrive in school, both emotionally and academically," he said.

"This will be especially important in the first few days back at school, which we know are crucial in setting the tone for the rest of the year.”

Absence fines to rise

Fines for families taking children out of school without permission are set to rise from £60 to £80 per parent in September.

The move is part of a government drive to return attendance to pre-pandemic levels.

Hampshire County Council has asked parents and carers to help by arranging GP and dental appointments outside of school hours.

Establishing a good morning routine at home with a decent breakfast was important to help children arrive at school on time, it added.

Mr Forster said: “We know that in some circumstances, for example for medical reasons or for a small number of children with particular special educational needs, daily school attendance isn’t always possible.

"Early intervention is key in these situations: we urge any families facing issues with attendance to speak to their child’s school at the earliest opportunity to discuss the support available and to give the best possible chance of resolving challenges before they escalate.”