Pupil attendance: Three pieces of the puzzle

Pupil attendance challenges pose intricate issues, and for school business leaders, tackling them requires a nuanced approach. Let’s delve into three key relationships impacted by poor attendance—self, others, and curriculum—and explore strategies to mend the fabric

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on Bradford Research School

Relationship with the self

Attendance woes can dent pupils’ self-perception, affecting self-efficacy, confidence, and resilience. The struggle with the curriculum often fuels a negative internal narrative, shifting from specific challenges to a broader self-assessment. Attributing setbacks to external factors may erode motivation, emphasising the importance of redirecting focus to current efforts and controllable aspects.

Relationship with others

Attendance woes ripple through interpersonal connections, reshaping friendship dynamics, class interactions, and pupil-teacher relationships. St. Mary’s Catholic School in Blackpool employs the ‘2×10 model,’ investing 2 minutes daily in non-school-related conversations with target pupils over 10 days to foster connections beyond academic realms. Embracing group togetherness, some schools adopt ‘family dining,’ where pupils and teachers share lunch, promoting socialisation.

Relationship with the curriculum

Persistently absent pupils not only miss out on taught content but face hurdles in acquiring new knowledge. Focusing on ‘threshold concepts,’ foundational ideas crucial for conceptual understanding, provides a strategic entry point. Scaffolding learning through knowledge organisers and creating moments of success, like tailored questions, reinforces engagement with the curriculum.

While no off-the-shelf solutions exist, understanding and nurturing these three relationships offer valuable approaches for SBLs. Instead of fixating on past attendance issues, redirecting attention towards actionable steps empowers pupils to take charge of their present efforts. Consider individual cases where pupils may feel less control due to circumstances beyond their influence, ensuring a tailored and empathetic approach.

In the intricate tapestry of pupil attendance challenges, school business leaders must weave connections and foster environments conducive to positive relationships. As we navigate these complexities, the focus shifts from mere attendance numbers to the human connections that underpin a thriving educational community.