School attendance figures have caused widespread concern in recent times, with the Covid pandemic believed to have had a lingering effect.

One report suggested that attendance below 90 per cent is particularly worrying; teachers and school leaders report an impact on learning, teaching and school ethos.

University of Strathclyde research certainly found that a one percentage point increase in days absent was associated with a three per cent decline in educational attainment.

Internal truancy and ‘lapping’

Truancy has always been an issue for schools. In the past, however, the headache was why certain pupils weren’t making it through the school gates; these days, one panellist told us, “truants prefer the heated corridors” over outdoor hideaways.

The phenomenon has been given an informal term in Scotland: “lapping”. This is where pupils are technically in school, but rather than showing up for classes, they do circuits of the school, expertly evading the attention of staff.

To explore these issues and get a better understanding of how to improve attendance in schools, Scotland editor Henry Hepburn is joined by three expert panellists:

• Abbi Anderson, principal teacher for attendance at Beath High School, in Fife

• Peter Bain, executive headteacher of Oban and Tiree schools and president of School Leaders Scotland

• Gregor McBain, a depute headteacher at Morgan Academy in Dundee, with a specialist remit for pastoral support, including attendance.

You can watch the roundtable discussion below. If the video is not visible, you can access it here.

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