Tracy Smith, Designated Safeguarding Lead and Student Manager at Leeds Jewish Free School (LJFS), tells us how schools and parents can work together to reduce absenteeism.
Recent UK government figures show a decline in general school absence, which is encouraging. However, the rate of severe absence – defined as students missing more than half of their school time – is on the rise, with 158,000 pupils who were severely absent in autumn and spring 2023/24, increased from 139,000 the previous year. Tracy Smith, Designated Safeguarding Lead and Student Manager at LJFS, explains the complex reasons behind this concerning trend and offers advice on how schools and parents can work together to tackle it.
Tracy highlights that severe absence is often driven by a range of factors that vary from one student to another: “There’s no one-size-fits-all, many students have unique and complex backgrounds that contribute to their absences.”
In particular, Tracy points out that many young people today struggle with resilience and life skills: “It’s often easier for parents to keep children at home if they’re struggling with school. Some students may find it easier to avoid school than to face challenges, especially if they’ve experienced difficult situations in the past.”
The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has had lingering effects: “Students who were accustomed to online learning during the pandemic may find it difficult to return to a structured school routine,” she adds. “For some, staying home and engaging in less demanding activities like gaming
or watching TV may seem like a more comfortable option.”
Despite these challenges, Tracy stresses that schools play a crucial role in encouraging regular attendance. At LJFS, Tracy’s team works hard to create a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel safe and motivated to attend: “We spend a lot of time talking to students about the importance of school attendance, not just for academic success, but also for personal growth.”
LJFS has implemented various initiatives to promote attendance, such as attendance awards and regular conversations with students about how good attendance correlates with higher achievement and better future prospects. The school also focuses on addressing punctuality, which can be another barrier to consistent attendance. Tracy’s team has had success with personalised strategies for students, particularly given that LJFS is a smaller school with more flexibility to tailor interventions: “We know that every case is different, so we aim to understand the individual circumstances of each student.”
“We spend a lot of time talking to students about the importance of school attendance.”
Parents also have a key role to play in supporting school attendance and fostering a positive attitude towards school: “Parents should try to be supportive of the school, even if their children complain about aspects of it. It’s about encouraging children to face challenges and reinforcing that school is part of life, much like work is for adults.”
Tracy also suggests that parents help children understand the long-term benefits of attending school: “We need to frame school as something that provides life skills, much like a job would. If you don’t go to work, you don’t get paid, and in the same way, if you don’t attend school, you miss out on valuable learning and opportunities.
“Furthermore, school is a place where students learn how to interact with others, solve problems, and handle challenges. If they miss out on these experiences, they miss crucial skills that will serve them in adult life.”
In addition, absent students risk falling behind in their studies, creating a vicious cycle of anxiety and disengagement. To break this cycle, Tracy’s team works closely with students and their families to create reintegration plans and provide additional support when needed: “When students miss school, they can become anxious about catching up, which then prevents them from returning to school, making the problem worse. We try to make it clear that school is a safe space where they can learn, grow, and feel supported.”
The government has also taken steps to address the issue of poor attendance, with new legislation aimed at tackling persistent absence. Since September, a rolling system has been introduced, with penalties for parents who take their children on holiday during term time without permission. If this happens repeatedly, families could face fines, or even a court appearance.
However, the school’s first approach is always to work with families to understand the underlying reasons for absence: “We’re not about punishing families. We want to help students get back into school and access the support they need. Fines are a last resort.”
Tackling rising rates of severe absence requires a collaborative approach between schools and parents: “It’s about working together to support children and ensuring they don’t miss out on the opportunities that school provides.”
