Written Question·Department for Education·UIN 114265

Pupils: Absenteeism

Tabled: 20 February 2026
Answered: 2 March 2026

Question

Lee Anderson

Reform UKAshfield

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

Olivia Bailey
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...

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