Evidence, Impact and Actions for Consideration 2024-26 report
Post the Covid-19 pandemic there was a system-wide concern around reduced levels of school attendance. Accredited Official Statistics indicate that over the last two years there have been improvements in attendance. However, these statistics also show that attendance rates remain lower than the period prior to the pandemic (Scottish Government, 2025). Concerns also remain about a poverty-related gap, and high rates of persistent absence (Scottish Government, 2025). Evidence from numerous studies supports the notion that school absences have negative consequences for learners’ academic achievement (Aucejo & Romano, 2016; Gottfried, 2010, 2011; Gottfried & Kirksey, 2017; Kirksey, 2019; Klein et al., 2022 cited in Dräger Klein & Sosu, 2025).
In November 2023, Education Scotland (ES) published ‘Improving attendance: understanding the issues’ to support better understanding of the issues around attendance. This report is a follow up and provides an updated understanding of attendance and absences over the last two years, and the practice that is having a positive impact nationally, across local authorities and in educational establishments.
As part of the Scottish Attainment Challenge ‘Framework for Progress and Recovery’, all local authorities now have local stretch aims to improve attendance. This reflects a collective, national focus on improving attendance, and this report is intended to further support this national improvement priority. It outlines successful strategies that have improved attendance and provides considerations for further improvement. These findings should be used by local authorities, schools and partner organisations when considering their approaches to further improve attendance and reduce absence. Actions for consideration are intended for Scottish Government, Education Scotland, local authorities, schools and relevant partners.
