Attending to absence: Supporting schools to increase school attendance
Join us on Wednesday, 7 May for a GM Policy Hub seminar exploring how local approaches can improve school attendance and support disadvantaged children.
Persistent rates of school absences have increased considerably since the COVID-19 pandemic, with no sign of returning to pre-pandemic levels. Levels of school absence are proven to be higher in disadvantaged areas, with rates of unauthorised absence 34% higher in the North of England than the South.
Improving school attendance is a key priority for schools, education policymakers, and local authorities, as regular attendance is widely recognised as a key component of learning and educational achievement.
How can local authorities take an evidence-informed approach to work with parents and schools to support attendance? Research from The University of Manchester has explored school absence, developing and implementing a localised approach to school attendance difficulties, which could effectively inform future policy and practice in mainstream schools and alternative provision.
When: Wednesday 7 May, 1:00pm – 2:30pm (with registration and light lunch from 12:30pm).
Where: The University of Manchester (room confirmed on registration)
Speakers:
- Professor Caroline Bond, Senior Lecturer, Manchester Institute of Education
- Dr Matthew Fletcher, Educational and Child Psychologist, Wirral Council
- Chaired by Professor Arpana Verma, Clinical Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology, and Academic Co-Director of Policy@Manchester