Question reference: S6W-23493
- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 30 November 2023
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Current status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 19 December 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it is having with local authorities regarding their (a) strategic and (b) implementation plans for improving school attendance, and how it is encouraging any local authorities that do not have a plan in place to develop such a plan.
Answer
The Scottish Government has published guidance for local authorities and schools, Included, Engaged and Involved Part 1: Promoting and Managing School Attendance , as well as guidance for parents which reinforces the message that they should support children to attend school.
The guidance sets out how to promote engagement and motivation, including among those who may be at risk of poor attendance.
It also sets out action schools should take in response to a child’s or young person’s absence from school.
Earlier this year I asked Education Scotland to undertake work to better understand the current barriers and challenges experienced by schools, children and young people and their families which influence school attendance. Education Scotland published this report on 28 November.
We are currently reviewing the findings of this report and will consider the recommendations for any future work on addressing attendance in schools.
We are also considering the findings from our Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research, also published in November, which provides evidence-based information on the extent to which pupils are disengaging from learning. We are currently considering the findings of BISSR and plan to publish an action plan early in the new year.