Expert Advice on Tackling School Absence & Probes Into Academy Finances

Welcome to The Daily School Leaders Briefing for Thursday, May 1st, 2025. Today's essential update for UK school leaders covers a new blueprint for tackling the school absence crisis, based on past successes, and the publication of Department for Education investigation outcomes into historic financial issues at several academy trusts.

Key Briefings Inside:

1. Blueprint to Tackle School Absence Crisis Unveiled: Explore the recommendations from Moira Wallace, former head of New Labour's Social Exclusion Unit, credited with significantly boosting school attendance in the 2000s. Her new paper outlines a strategy including: reviving public targets for reducing persistent/severe absence; mobilising a "national effort" involving cross-departmental collaboration (especially Health) and Treasury resources; addressing broad drivers like adolescent health, SEND support, family stress, and school engagement; supporting parents positively; rebuilding local partnerships; and learning from past initiatives like Excellence in Cities. Analyse the implications of this comprehensive, multi-agency approach compared to recent policies focused primarily on schools.

   Keywords: School absence crisis UK, persistent absence strategy, Moira Wallace attendance blueprint, school attendance targets, Social Exclusion Unit lessons, national effort school attendance, supporting parents attendance, local partnerships education, Excellence in Cities.

2. DfE Publishes Historic Academy Spending Investigation Outcomes: Learn about the findings from recently published DfE investigation 'outcome' reports concerning historic allegations at five academy trusts, noting the reduced detail and anonymity compared to previous report formats. Discover examples of identified breaches, including: inappropriate related-party transactions and conflicts of interest (Griffin Schools Trust); irregular spending on staff gift cards, alcohol, and events (Stephenson MK Trust); improper recruitment processes and misplaced funds (Tennyson Learning Community); questionable additional payments to senior staff (Lampton School Academy Trust); and accounting errors (Langdale Free School, now dissolved). Understand the importance of these findings as cautionary examples regarding compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook.

   Keywords: DfE academy investigations published, academy trust financial mismanagement, related-party transactions academies, novel contentious spending, Griffin Schools Trust, Stephenson MK Trust gift cards, Tennyson Learning Community recruitment, Lampton School Academy Trust, Langdale Free School dissolved, Academy Trust Handbook compliance, ESFA investigations.

Audience: This briefing provides crucial analysis for Headteachers, Senior Leadership Teams (SLT), Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) Leaders and executives, School Business Leaders (SBLs), Attendance Leads, Pastoral Leaders, and Governors across the UK.