New term brings tougher approach
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has launched a fresh drive to improve school attendance and tackle poor behaviour, urging parents to play their part as pupils return for the new academic year.
The Department for Education says pupils across England will benefit from calmer classrooms and more teaching time, with new data showing that on average seven minutes of every half hour are lost to disruption.
Ministers argue the reforms are key to breaking the link between background and success through education.
Hubs to support schools
From this term, 800 schools – serving around 600,000 children – will receive support through new RISE Attendance and Behaviour Hubs.
The wider programme will eventually reach 5,000 schools, with the 500 most affected set to receive intensive help.
The initiative builds on last year’s progress, when attendance improved by five million school days and 140,000 fewer pupils were classed as persistently absent. Officials estimate the change could protect more than £2bn in pupils’ future earnings.
Parents urged to step up
Phillipson said families must share responsibility: “We have already made progress with five million more days in school this year and are backing parents and supporting schools through our Plan for Change. But we all need to do more, and when it comes to getting kids in and behaving – this includes mums, dads and carers too.”
Surveys show nearly 80% of teachers report poor behaviour harming their health and wellbeing.
Ambassadors appointed
Education experts Tom Bennett and Jayne Lowe have been appointed as Attendance and Behaviour Ambassadors to help shape the programme. Bennett said every child deserved “a school that is safe and calm,” while Lowe emphasised the importance of creating inclusive environments where children feel they belong.
The government’s forthcoming schools white paper will set out further measures to support discipline and attendance, alongside wider commitments such as free breakfast clubs, expanded mental health provision and additional funding to improve school buildings.
