Parents, carers and children in Plymouth are being asked to share their views on school attendance.
Plymouth City Council is working with Plymouth Marjon University on a research project to better understand the reasons why children and young people may struggle to attend school.
There are two surveys running as part of the project, one for children and young people in school years 6 to 11, and one for their parents and carers.
The research findings will then be shared with schools and education partners in the city to help develop and strengthen attendance strategies and identify what can be done differently to support families.
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, said: “School attendance in Plymouth has been a growing issue since the pandemic and there are large numbers of children who regularly miss school. This can have a real impact on children’s wellbeing and affect how well they do at school, so it’s an issue we’re committed to addressing.
“We know that there are a huge range of complex reasons why children and young people might struggle to attend school every day and the survey gives parents, carers and young people the chance to tell us about their own personal experiences. This will give us the opportunity to properly understand how we can work with partners across Plymouth to better support families.”
Elpida Achtaridou, Head of Research and Knowledge Exchange at Plymouth Marjon University said: “School attendance is a pressing challenge in Plymouth and across the UK.
“It is a privilege to lead this research, with the support of Plymouth City Council, capturing the voices of students and parents to provide valuable insights into this critical issue for the Plymouth community, while also further demonstrating Plymouth Marjon University’s commitment to the importance of place and social purpose.”
The surveys are available to complete until 1 May 2025, and can be accessed here: