The DfE annonced new minimum attendance expectations on 12 November. A letter from Olivia Bailey MP
Minister for Early Education and Minister for Equalities has been posted, addressed to governors. In it she states
“Every day at school counts. Even a few missed days can have a lasting impact on a child’s learning, wellbeing, and future opportunities. That’s why improving attendance is one of this Government’s top priorities.
I know the vital role governors and trustees play in supporting and challenging schools and trusts to tackle absence. That’s why I am writing to share details of the measures we are introducing today to help accelerate improvements across England and support every school to move closer to pre-pandemic attendance levels and beyond.”
From 2026/27 DfE are introducing Attendance Baseline Improvement Expectations (ABIEs) for mainstream schools, which will be he minimum improvement expected over the course of the academic year. Schools who consistently miss their ABIE or who miss their ABIE by some distance will be signposted to further support.
The letter outlines the Governors’ role in managing attanedance.
You can read it in full here.
dsga.org.uk 