Curriculum and assessment

Since 2010, school absence rates in England have gradually increased, and were undoubtedly exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite a small decrease in persistent absences from 2022 to 2023, attendance rates have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. In this article, we explore the causes of persistent school absences, and identify promising interventions to ensure more pupils in England consistently attend school.

Since 2010, school absence rates in England have gradually increased, and were undoubtedly exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite a small decrease in persistent absences from 2022 to 2023, attendance rates have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. In this article, we explore the causes of persistent school absences, and identify promising interventions to ensure more pupils in England consistently attend school.

Tutoring is widely acknowledged as an effective means of addressing learning gaps, and has become increasingly prominent in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this working paper, Dr Wayne Harrison and Professor Steve Higgins of Durham University and the Education Endowment Foundation summarise the latest global evidence about the effective use of tutoring, which together cite over 1,000 robust evaluations, to provide important recommendations for policymakers.

Tutoring is widely acknowledged as an effective means of addressing learning gaps, and has become increasingly prominent in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this working paper, Dr Wayne Harrison and Professor Steve Higgins of Durham University and the Education Endowment Foundation summarise the latest global evidence about the effective use of tutoring, which together cite over 1,000 robust evaluations, to provide important recommendations for policymakers.