With clear links between attendance, attainment and behaviour, and in the context of increased levels of absence since the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance is a challenge and priority for schools up and down the country.
Improving attendance is a multifaceted mission, requiring different approaches in different contexts. There are, however, some common overarching principles that can inform attendance strategies. We have structured our resources around six evidence-informed themes, which you can find at the end of this page.
Each theme is informed by recommendations from our suite of guidance reports, and is accompanied by a range of further reading and exemplification from a range of schools and school leaders.
At the bottom of this page, you will also find a summary of the evidence base for attendance interventions and further information about current EEF project around attendance.
Reflection and planning tool
To support school leaders and attendance teams with reflection and planning, we have produced a two-page editable tool, based on the more detailed information and guidance that can be found within these webpages. This document can be electronically edited, or printed out for your written notes during discussion and planning with colleagues.
Supporting school attendance – Reflection and planning tool
Tool to support school leaders to consider different approaches to attendance, providing a potential scaffold for discussions withing leadership and attendance teams.Uploaded: • 2.4 MB - pdfYou might be interested in listening to our Evidence into Action podcast episode focusing on supporting school attendance.
In this episode, Alex Quigley and co-host Freya Morrissey are joined by Owen Carter (Director at ImpactEd), Jane Elsworth (Director of Huntington Research School, York) and Oliver Kerr (Headteacher of Old Moat Primary School, Manchester). They discuss some of the current research evidence, relevant guidance report recommendations, and successful practices around attendance.
The Evidence into Action podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
Evidence and resources
1. Build a holistic understanding of pupils and families, and diagnose specific needs
Evidence and resources
2. Build a culture of community and belonging for pupils
Evidence and resources
3. Communicate effectively with families
Evidence and resources
4. Improve universal provision for all pupils
Evidence and resources
5. Deliver targeted interventions to supplement universal provision
Evidence and resources
6. Monitor the impact of approaches
Evidence and resources
Attendance context
Evidence and resources
Summary of evidence
Evidence and resources