• What factors influence parental attitudes to school attendance and what can we do to address them?
Background
Every child and young person, regardless of their background, must be able to achieve and thrive, particularly at school, to develop the knowledge and skills they need for life. Thriving centres on both feeling good (having a high subjective wellbeing and a positive sense of belonging), and doing well (having a positive sense of accomplishment, autonomy, and physical and mental health). Our areas of research interest regarding this pillar of the Opportunity Mission span; attainment; SEND; attendance; health and wellbeing both in and out of school; school belonging and engagement; and enrichment activities and childcare for school- aged children. (For brevity, please read all references to children as encompassing both children and young people where appropriate.)
Full details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-education-areas-of-research-interest
Next steps
Get in touch with research.engagement@education.gov.uk
Related UKRI funded projects
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Family background and educational attainment: An investigation into the mediating role of school absenteeism
Significant social inequalities in educational attainment are well-established in Scotland and elsewhere. Closing the poverty-related attainment gap has therefore been identified as the key priority in Scottish education...
Funded by: ESRC
Why might this be relevant?
This project specifically investigates the influence of school absenteeism on educational attainment, which directly relates to parental attitudes towards school attendance.
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How do mental and physical health problems contribute to inequalities in persistent school absence? A causal mediation analysis using ECHILD
Around one in four young people are missing a large amount of education through persistent absence from school (10% or more missed). While it was presumed that school attendance levels would recover following the pandemi...
Funded by: ESRC
Why might this be relevant?
This project explores how mental and physical health problems contribute to persistent school absence, which is directly related to parental attitudes towards school attendance.
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Give Them Time? - The Effects of Deferred School Start
Parents with children who were born around school year cut-off dates face a dilemma: Should they send their children to school as soon as possible, thus entering them into primary school as the youngest members of their ...
Funded by: ESRC
Why might this be relevant?
Partially addresses parental attitudes to school attendance through the lens of deferred school start.