School has worst pupil attendance rate in England

A council leader has called for improvements to be made after a school was revealed to have the worst pupil attendance rate in England.

Data showed Basildon Upper Academy in Basildon, Essex, had the highest rate of truancy of any state-run secondary school in the country, with a 15.4% increase in non-attendance compared to last year.

During the autumn and spring terms of 2023/24, one in six school sessions were missed due to unauthorised absences.

Gavin Callaghan, a Labour councillor and leader of Basildon Council, said: "I am deeply concerned by the radio silence that has followed the news."

In a letter to Essex County Council, Callaghan said he wanted to see a collaborative approach to tackle the issue, such as offering mentorship, mental health services and extracurricular activities to get young people back into classes.

He said: "I write today to seek assurance there is a specific improvement plan in place, but also pledge my council's support and energy in improving that story including educational attainment in Basildon in general."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported Callaghan wanted to see a "task force" made up of local businesses, county education officials, community organisations, parents and "most importantly the students themselves".

"The goal of this task force will be to design and implement a comprehensive programme that addresses the root causes of truancy and builds pathways to higher achievement," the councillor added.

Tony Ball, a Conservative councillor and cabinet member for education, excellence, lifelong learning and employability for Essex County Council, said absence policies at schools can differ.

"The school currently has a policy where an 'unauthorised absence' refers to any absence for any reason which has not been formally evidenced by parents. This is not the same as truancy. This policy is not the same for all trusts."

He said the council take pupil attendance "very seriously" and have already met with the Basildon Upper Academy twice this half-term.

"School is not optional. Every child has the right to access quality education and parents have a legal duty to ensure regular attendance."

Ball said Basildon Council has not been involved and was not "fully informed" with the work the council has been doing with the school and the Basildon Academies Trust, which runs the academy.