School attendance in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) has shown a slight increase over the past two years but still lags well behind pre-pandemic levels, according to a council report. The report, presented to the education and inclusion scrutiny committee, revealed that for the 2023/24 academic year, RCT’s secondary school attendance figures stood at 86.9%, marking a 1.1% improvement from the previous academic year’s 85.8%. Out of the 17 mainstream secondary schools in RCT, 13 showed enhancements in attendance between 2022/23 and 2023/24.
The report explained that official attendance data for secondary schools is typically cut off at the end of the first summer half term in May due to the impact of exams in May and June. Comparatively, the Welsh Government’s unverified data indicated that the average secondary school attendance for Wales was 87.6%, with RCT sitting 0.7% below this average. While Wales saw a 0.3% increase in secondary attendance between the two years, RCT’s 1.1% rise, though from a lower starting point, demonstrated a stronger trajectory, as per the council committee report.
The report highlighted the significant impact of the pandemic on attendance levels, both nationally and within RCT, but noted that attendance had improved over the last two academic years for nearly all demographics, albeit still remaining below pre-pandemic levels, especially in secondary schools. Primary school attendance for 2023/24 was approximately 91.7%, showing a 0.7% increase compared to the previous year’s 91%. Variability in attendance levels across RCT schools was also noted, with the lowest recorded attendance in the primary phase at 87.5% and the highest at 95.4%.
Data for free school meal attendance at both primary and secondary levels indicated a higher pace of increase compared to non-free school meal attendance between 2022/23 and 2023/24. However, the report highlighted that the gap in free school meal attendance remained considerably wider than pre-pandemic levels. The report emphasised that improving school attendance was a key priority for the local authority and schools, following a recommendation by Estyn after a previous inspection. It concluded with a focus on the importance of attendance in supporting learners to reach their potential, ensuring effective safeguarding, and providing social benefits for children and young people.
Overall, the report underscored the ongoing efforts to make attendance a priority at the local, regional, and national levels, aiming for continued improvements in the coming years. By liaising with stakeholders, the local authority seeks to maintain a strong focus on attendance to enhance educational outcomes and overall well-being for students in Rhondda Cynon Taf.