Improve school attendance
Addressing the emotional barriers behind absence
Persistent absence continues to undermine learning, inspection outcomes and long-term life chances for too many pupils across the UK.
For many pupils, anxiety, low confidence, emotional regulation difficulties or a lack of belonging make attending school - and staying engaged - genuinely
The Challenge
Persistent and severe absence continues to place pressure on schools, affecting outcomes, inspection judgements and already stretched staff teams.
Behind the figures, many children and young people are coping with anxiety, unmet SEND needs, low confidence and emotional needs that make regular attendance feel overwhelming
- 1 in 5 children and young people are experiencing mental health difficulties
- Persistent absence remains well above pre-pandemic levels
- 1 in 8 young people are not in education, employment or training
- Schools consistently identify attendance as one of the biggest barriers to learning
Improving attendance starts with understanding why pupils are struggling - not relying on enforcement alone.
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How Thrive improves pupil attendance
Thrive supports schools to respond to the social and emotional factors that sit behind absence.
Drawing on neuroscience and child development, the Thrive Approach helps schools to:
- Spot pupils who may be at risk earlier
- Understand the emotional reasons behind non-attendance
- Support emotional regulation and resilience
- Strengthen relationships and pupils’ sense of belonging
- Reduce behaviour incidents that often lead to time out of learning
When schools address the underlying reasons for absence, pupils are more likely to re-engage and attend more regularly.
proven impact
Independently evaluated impact on attendance
Independent evaluation by ImpactEd, including analysis of over 2,600 schools and a two-year mixed-methods study, found that schools using Thrive show more favourable attendance patterns than national benchmarks.
- Up to 38% reduction in severe absence in schools using Thrive most consistently
- 15% lower severe absenteeism overall
- 3% lower overall absenteeism
Truancy levels have dropped dramatically. We’ve seen children who used to leave the site or hide in toilets seek out Thrive Practitioners to talk about what’s going on for them."
Samantha Strange
Personalised Learning Centre Manager, Northfields School & Sports College
Ready to strengthen school attendance?
Whether you’re leading a single school or shaping strategy across multiple settings,
Thrive supports a clear, relational approach to improving attendance.
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Schools and settings
Strengthen attendance and engagement through emotionally informed practice embedded within your school or setting.
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Trusts and system leaders
Develop a trust-wide or partnership approach to attendance, behaviour and wellbeing across multiple schools.
Belonging and Mattering Resource Pack
Practical guidance, classroom activities and assemblies to help strengthen connection across your school.
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How to create a sense of belonging in schools
Learn more about the importance of belonging and take away strategies underpinned by neuroscience and Thrive's relational approach.
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The neuroscience of feeling 'at home'
A recorded session exploring why belonging matters and how it influences attendance and engagement.
Guide to improving attendance
A practical guide to strengthening attendance through emotionally informed practice.
Take the next step toward lasting change across your school or system.
Join 2,600+ schools and thousands of educators already
transforming practice with Thrive.