England schools to receive individual attendance targets

The Department for Education will assign a specific attendance target to every mainstream state school in England, aiming to reverse a decline in pupil attendance. Recent data show overall attendance falling to about 93% for the 2025/26 year, with persistent absence rising from roughly 10% before the pandemic to 19% now.

Education minister Paul Waugh said the targets will reflect each school's local challenges and that schools should also expand clubs and activities on Fridays to improve end‑of‑week attendance. The DfE will monitor progress, offering guidance and linking schools to local attendance hubs, but there will be no immediate penalties for missing targets. Ofsted will continue to consider attendance in its inspections.

The move follows concerns about higher sickness rates, heat‑wave disruptions and lower flu‑vaccination uptake, which have contributed to a notable increase in students staying home on Fridays.