Education / Average school attendance above average but lower rates target a ‘challenge’
THE OVERALL school attendance rate for Shetland pupils continues to be above the national average but the council has missed a target regarding the number of children who were absent for 20 per cent of the year or more.
This was one of the messages given to members of Shetland Islands Council’s education and families committee this morning (Monday) as a new draft promoting and managing school attendance policy got its first airing.
Across primaries and secondary the overall attendance rate is above average and has remained steady in recent years – with the latest figure sitting at 92.6 per cent.
However there is a “significant challenge” with pupils with an attendance rate of 80 per cent or less.
The number of children in this category reached 193 in 2023/24, compared to a target of 145. The 2018-23 average is 146.
Education support officer Helen Couper said there are a multitude of reasons behind absences, from ASN and transport needs to bullying, relationships at school and health.
She also said there has been a rise in parents taking their child out of school during term time for holidays, which is expected post-Covid – with this tipping some bairns past the 80 per cent mark.
Couper said that over a year 80 per cent attendance equates to missing a day a week of school.
She said higher attendance usually results in better academic results as well as social and emotional learning.
Lerwick South councillor Neil Pearson asked what the SIC can actually do to get youngsters back into school.
Couper said it revolves around “connecting with families, engaging with parents, asking parents to attend a meeting, having conversations with parents around attendance”.
She added that this may also involve other agencies – highlighting that each case is different.
Couper said generally it is important to promote good school attendance, and “understand the value of school”.
She added that more than 300 parents responded to a survey on the proposed policy.
Shetland Central councillor Moraig Lyall meanwhile asked about the levels of home schooling and what oversight the SIC has of the educational input.
Couper said there was a slight increase in home education, with figures now in the “late 20s”.
Shetland member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) Joe Smith said attendance was a “critical issue” and while it was encouraging to see overall figures above average the plateau in recent years shows there is “still room for improvement”.
“The new policy focuses on early intervention and understanding these barriers is a step in the right direction,” he added.
His MSYP colleague Bertie Summers also said it was crucial to recognise the role of mental health in lower attendance.
During debate Councillor Pearson said he had no issues with approving the policy but conceded he had some “reservations” regarding the actions the SIC can actually take in getting people back into school.
The education and families committee agreed to recommend to the policy and resources committee that it approves the policy – with the final say resting with the full council in December.
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