Written questions

Pupils: Absenteeism

Commons · Question 114265 · Tabled 20 Feb 2026 · Department for Education · Official record

Answered 2 Mar 2026

Question

Asked by Lee Anderson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle persistent absence at (a) primary and (b) secondary schools.

Answer

Answered by Olivia Bailey, 2 Mar 2026

The department is taking a range of measures to tackle persistent absence in both primary and secondary schools. The statutory guidance ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ requires schools to take a support-first approach, including appointing...