Attendance: Inspection findings from academic year 2024 to 2025
Regular school attendance is one of the most important factors in a child’s or young person’s educational success. Attending school consistently helps children and young people develop academic knowledge, social skills and positive habits that contribute to their future achievements.
Recent research highlights that poor attendance is associated with:
- lower attainment
- reduced engagement in learning
- poorer wellbeing
- diminished future opportunities (see the Evidence, Impact and Actions for Consideration 2024-26 report)
Between September 2024 and June 2025, HM Inspectors (HMI) inspected 246 primary, secondary, special and all-through schools.
During every inspection, HMI evaluated how well schools are managing pupil attendance to identify the issues that impact on absence from school and what approaches schools are taking to address them. To do this, HMI engaged with staff and listened carefully to the views of children and young people, parents, partners and staff.