Subscribe
type here...
Register/Sign In

Practice & Case Studies

The Christmas Jumper story; what have we learned?

Practice & Case Studies Duncan Baldwin -
In 2019, a seemingly harmless Christmas tradition revealed something far more serious about school attendance. When a group of schools shared their day-by-day attendance data, an unexpected dip appeared across several sites on the same December day: Christmas Jumper Day. In this reflective piece, Duncan Baldwin looks back at how that discovery challenged assumptions about “fun” school activities, highlighted the unseen pressures faced by some pupils, and demonstrated the power of collaboration and shared data. From machine learning insights to questions about accountability, this is a story about marginal gains, unintended consequences, and why improving attendance is often about the small things schools choose to do – or not do – every day.

When Fines Become Conversations: What Camden’s Parent “Awareness Course” Tells Us About Attendance and Relationships

Practice & Case Studies Alan Cree -
A Camden primary school has drawn national attention for replacing attendance fines with a supportive “awareness course” for parents whose children were persistently absent. The approach has been covered by Schools Week, Netmums, and the BBC, each reporting encouraging early results.

Attendance Matters is a collaborative space for education professionals exploring school attendance. Run by a group of experienced educators, governors, and parents, it connects research, policy, and real experiences to promote fair and inclusive practice. Sponsored by Attend, all editorial content is created independently.

© Attendance Matters