Government to fund school ‘attendance mentors’ in worst-hit areas of England

Latest attempt to tackle pupil absences criticised as failing to tackle the magnitude of the problem

The government is to make a new effort to repair sagging school attendance figures in England, with the education secretary to announce funding for attendance mentors" in some of the worst-affected areas.

Pupil absences remain stubbornly higher than before the Covid pandemic, and during a visit to Liverpool on Monday Gillian Keegan is expected to announce plans for caseworkers to offer one-to-one support for pupils in 10 areas including Blackpool and Walsall, where rates of unauthorised absences remain far above national levels.