Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson visited Ipswich on Friday to announce a major expansion of school attendance support. The government scheme will target 10,000 more children across 10 new areas, including Ipswich.
The big picture: The government is investing £15m to tackle poor school attendance rates in Ipswich and other areas across the country.
Why it matters: Regular school attendance is crucial for children's education and future opportunities. This targeted support aims to address underlying issues keeping students out of the classroom.
The key points:
Ipswich is one of 10 new areas to benefit from expanded attendance mentoring.
The scheme will support an additional 10,000 children nationwide.
Funding will improve support for pupils with SEND, mental ill health, or complex learning needs.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson visited Chantry Academy to make the announcement.
What they're saying:
Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary: "If we are going to break down the barriers to opportunity for children in Ipswich and across the country, we must first break down the barriers to school attendance."
Jack Abbott, Ipswich MP: "The investment announced by the Education Secretary here in Ipswich is an important step in getting to grips with school attendance."
The big picture: This expansion is part of a wider government effort to improve school attendance rates nationally. By targeting areas with some of the worst attendance records, the scheme aims to address educational inequalities.
What's next: Local schools and education authorities will work to implement the expanded mentoring programme. The effectiveness of the scheme in improving attendance rates will likely be closely monitored.
