Student factors are strongly linked to the individual’s wellbeing needs, their learning and living environments and connections with others. Students who are engaged in school are more likely to have better attendance and other improved student outcomes.
Factors influencing student attendance are complex, and can vary across school communities and locations.
Identifying and understanding the underlying and often interrelated factors assists schools to plan effective strategies to engage students and improve student attendance.
These factors are broadly categorised as:
Schools should consider any indicators or supporting evidence when investigating the underlying factors relevant to their local context.
The following questions may help you explore the origin and context of the underlying causes influencing attendance:
- What are the underlying problems?
- How does this problem present itself?
- What has been done before – what happened?
- Why should this problem be addressed?
- Who are the key stakeholders? How might you engage students, parents, teachers and the wider community?
(Staff only)
Student factors
- Are there unmet physical and mental health needs? (for example, nutrition, access to washing facilities, anxiety)
- Does the student feel safe?
- Do they feel connected to their peer group, class and school?
- Are lifestyle or risk behaviours impacting student health, safety and/or wellbeing? (for example, game addiction)
- Are there opportunities to strengthen students’ social competence and confidence, to support their engagement and participation?
- Are there processes to help staff understand student behaviour and wellbeing?
You might also consider if any of the following examples are relevant to your student cohort or school context.
- student health including physical and emotional wellbeing
- English as an additional language or dialect
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders
- refugee background
- disability or additional learning and support needs
- relationships with others, including peers and school staff
- student behaviour and suspensions
- Out of Home Care arrangements
- enrolment, starting school and transition points
- child protection concerns.