School attendance
Preparing for post-16 and the world of work
Good school attendance increases long-term opportunities and outcomes well into adult life.
Adopting a ‘not like school’ approach to the delivery of post-16 education and training could help move young people who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) to SWEET (Sustainably working and employed or back in education and training).
Children and young people who maintain good educational attendance during compulsory school age and beyond, are more likely in adulthood to experience:
- good mental and physical health and a reduction in health inequalities for those already experiencing disadvantage
- good educational attainment, leading to improved employment, career and earning prospects
- reduced likelihood of becoming involved in the criminal justice system
Good attendance practice promotes good outcomes for young people as they move into post-16 education and training.
This includes:
- meeting their duty to participate in education or employment with training until they are 18
- supporting the development of positive employment behaviours and skills valued by employers in the open labour market
- retaining a love of learning throughout their adult lives
In a small minority of cases, good attendance practice may also lead to earlier identification of more serious concerns for a young person or family and may play a vital role in keeping the young person or other family members safe from harm.
Good attendance throughout compulsory and post-16 education leads to:
- the development of skills and behaviours valued by employers
- better employment opportunities and higher earnings
- longer life expectancy and better mental and physical health
- improved social inclusion and social mobility
- increased resilience and independence in adult life
Early years, schools and post-16 education and training providers can support good attendance habits by:
- developing positive and open relationships with children, young people, parents and carers, including sharing achievements regularly and offering genuine opportunities for sharing concerns
- communicating the importance of regular attendance with parents and its impact on long-term life chances and quality of life
- maintaining an expectation that CYP, parents and carers inform the school or education and training provider of any absences and reasons for them
- considering ways in which high levels of attendance can be celebrated
- acting early - contacting CYP, parents and carers whenever there is an instance of unexplained absence, seeking assurance around the CYP safety and welfare
- discussing any support that you, as an education or training provider may be able to offer if a CYP’s attendance falls below a certain level. This may include support for the family such as early help or referral to other services such as the EET service as appropriate.
Parents can support good attendance by:
- encouraging healthy living routines with your young people – including good sleep hygiene routines and screen downtime
- encouraging good learning habits such as not leaving assignments until the last minute and preparing their college bag the night before classes
- taking an active interest in your child’s post-16 learning options, opportunities and experience and ensure that they have a back-up plan if something unexpected happens
- arranging routine medical appointments outside of learning time – a full time study programme is at least 580 hours per year which equates to approximately 18 hours per week
- ensuring that your young person has access to an appropriate quiet space at home where they can undertake independent study and complete assignments
- talking to your young person, post-16 provider or other professionals working with you if you have any concerns or anxieties preventing regular attendance
More information for young people, parents and professionals can be found on the following websites: