Case Study: How HDRC contributed to the Child of the North Report on school attendance
HDRC data scientist contributes to influential report on school absences and their impact on children in the North
HDRC Bradford’s Data team has contributed to a new report to address the non-attendance crisis in schools across the North of England. An Evidence-Based Plan for Improving School Attendance, marks the tenth instalment in the influential, collaborative series by Child of the North (comprising of the eight most research-intensive Northern Universities and Health Equity North, the N8 Research Partnership) and the Centre for Young Lives. This Plan shows how chronic school absences jeopardise children’s educational progress, mental health, and social well-being, putting them at greater risk of exploitation and serious violence. It shows how chronic school absences are more common in children living in the North of England.
The Plan has been presented to the Government as a holistic, place-based approach focused on understanding the root causes of absenteeism and implementing tailored support systems. Recommendations include early intervention, active involvement of teachers, parents, and students, and localized, multi-agency collaboration to foster student engagement and resilience.
Key findings
HDRC Data Scientist, Olasehinde Shobande, played a key role in analysing regional absenteeism rates and identifying trends affecting school attendance in disadvantaged communities. He contributed to in-depth analysis, highlighting important factors influencing absenteeism such as deprivation, attending special schools, having Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), being from a minority or marginalised group and a lack of school readiness. In addition, he analysed the trend of persistent absenteeism before, during and after COVID-19. Finally, he examined the impact of persistent school absence on those children’s educational attainment. Olasehinde’s contribution was significant, and he is a named co-author on this prestigious report. There are already plans to take the data analysis forward and produce academic reports that will be published in scientific journals.
“The crisis in school attendance goes beyond numbers – it represents the life chances of thousands of children. When children are not in school, they are not just missing lessons; they are at risk of potential danger, and they are losing opportunities for healthy development.
"We urgently need to create an education system that identifies and supports children at risk of disengagement before they fall behind, so every child has the chance to succeed, no matter their background. The UK’s future depends on everyone supporting schools to be inclusive places where all children and young people feel they belong.”
- Professor Mark Mon Williams; Child of The North report series editor, co-applicant on the NIHR HDRC bid and Deputy Chair of the Department for Education Scientific Advisory Council
The collaborative nature of the report, bringing together research organisations, universities, local authorities, community groups, and healthcare services, highlights the power of joint efforts in addressing challenges such as the school attendance crisis. The HDRC contribution has strengthened partnerships between the local authority, local researchers such as the Centre for Applied Educational Research (CAER) and Born in Bradford (BiB) and other researchers and Universities in the North of England.