The link between pupils' non-attendance and their behaviour

In this chapter on pupils’ non-attendance in the primary school, we will consider the following five important issues:

the need for much earlier identification;

reasons why primary pupils miss school;

the causes of primary pupils’ non-attendance;

significant issues;

managing attendance in the primary school, including strong and weak features.

It is proving to be an increasing cause of concern that a rising number of primary pupils at key stage 2 are appearing to miss school for reasons of unauthorised absence (truancy) throughout the UK and in some other parts of the world, including the United States.