Published 30 May 2025
The number of children absent from schools in West Dunbartonshire has reduced including a reduction in absence for care experienced young people.
Attendance increased to 91 percent up from 88 percent and figures show the number of pupils attending school from August 2024 to March 2025 at 91 percent up from 89 percent.
Members of the Educational Services committee heard the overall attendance gap between care experienced young people and their peers in primary school dropped from three percent in 2023 to one percent last year.
Care experienced young people within secondary schools are missing 10 percent more of their education and recorded eight percent more unauthorised absences compared to non care experienced peers in 2024.
The Council has robust measures in place to address school absence with early interventions, targeted support, in particular for care experienced pupils to improve attendance and attainment.
Care Experienced Teachers track and monitor pupil data, plan interventions and work in collaboration with Additional Support Coordinators and teachers to review pupils’ progress and implement additional support in partnership with Care Connections, Y Sort It, Intandem and Young Carers offering a multi-agency support network.
Convener of Educational Services, Councillor Clare Steel, said: “It is encouraging to see the improvement in school attendance and the range of measures in place to support children and their families. We know how important it is for good attendance at school and we are working hard to reengage with families to offer supports that will improve their child’s attendance.”
Vice Convener of Educational Services, Councillor John Millar, said: “It is pleasing to see attendance figures are moving in the right direction thanks to the help and support from schools and external partners. We know our schools are continuing to work incredibly hard to increase attendance and I am grateful to both our families and the wider services for their help in increasing school attendance figures.”