Rejected petition Review how school attendance figures are used to judge school performance in Wales
We call on the Welsh Government to review and reform how school attendance data is used to assess school performance and to ensure attendance policies are applied in a fair, inclusive, and trauma-informed way.
Current policies often apply a one-size-fits-all approach that overlooks the complex reasons behind pupil absence. Schools with high numbers of ALN pupils frequently report higher absence rates, often for valid medical or therapeutic reasons, yet these schools are still judged against raw attendance figures. This creates a misleading perception of school effectiveness and can unfairly stigmatise both schools and families.
Strict attendance thresholds also disproportionately affect already marginalised children. Some schools only grant term-time absence if attendance exceeds a set percentage, such as 95%. This can result in unequal treatment—for instance, denying leave to children recovering from medical trauma or seeking to celebrate religious holidays, while allowing holidays for their peers with no health or additional needs.
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While schools may be able to explain absences to Estyn or local authorities, the pressure to maintain high attendance statistics persists. This can strain relationships between schools and families, particularly when parents are best placed to judge whether their child is mentally or physically well enough to attend school.
We ask the Welsh Government to ensure that attendance data is interpreted with greater nuance and that policies promote inclusion, wellbeing, and equity. This includes recognising the legitimacy of certain absences, reducing reliance on raw percentages, and supporting schools to take a more flexible, family-centred approach.
Why was this petition rejected?
It did not collect enough signatures to be referred to the Petitions Committee.
Petitions need to receive at least 250 signatures before they can be considered in the Senedd.
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