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  • Open consultation Consultation on a pupil attendance strategy - Attendance Matters

    Topics:
    • Curriculum and learning

    Consultation closes 6 March 2026, 11.59 pm

    Summary

    The Department of Education is consulting on a new Pupil Attendance Strategy and is keen to get as widespread a response as possible.

    Documents

    • Attendance Matters - Consultation Document Adobe PDF (2 MB)
    • DPIA Screening exercise - Attendance Matters Consultation Adobe PDF (204 KB)
    • Privacy Notice – Consultation on the draft Pupil Attendance Strategy Adobe PDF (138 KB)
    • Draft Attendance Matters Strategy - EQIA Screening Adobe PDF (930 KB)

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    Consultation description

    This consultation relates to DE's new “Attendance Matters” strategy and issues associated with ensuring that children and young people attend school every day  

    Although the majority of pupils attend school regularly, there are some who struggle with attendance and the factors behind poor school attendance are complex.  Children spend only 13% of their time in school and yet many find it challenging to attend school regularly and this has been the case since the pandemic.

    The pandemic together with the financial crisis has resulted in different routines for families and at times, a different way of learning which means regular attendance at school has been adversely affected.

    Consultation questions for adults

    Consultation questions for young people

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