The UK government has announced new plans to tackle school absences and poor behaviour by offering special support to 500 schools. This will be done through newly formed “attendance and behaviour hubs” starting later this year. These hubs aim to help schools where students are struggling the most with showing up regularly and following the rules.
What Are Attendance and Behaviour Hubs?
These new hubs are part of the government’s plan to improve student discipline and regular attendance in schools. Ninety top-performing schools will be selected to lead the hubs, each supporting six schools facing serious attendance or behaviour issues.
The pilot programme will begin in September 2025, with a full launch planned for January 2026. Along with direct support to 500 schools, the programme will also reach 4,500 more schools through training events and open days.
Who Will the Hubs Help?
The schools selected for help will be those that have major challenges with getting students to attend regularly and follow rules. While it’s not yet clear how these schools will be chosen, the hubs will work closely with the government’s regional school improvement teams to ensure effective help is given.
The plan also includes appointing two new national ambassadors to act as a bridge between schools and the government. Their job will be to listen to school leaders, identify common issues, and help create practical solutions.
How Much Funding Is Being Given?
The programme will receive £1.5 million in funding. While this may sound like a lot, it is actually far less than what similar schemes received in the past. A previous scheme launched in 2021 got £10 million and supported over 650 schools through structured one- or two-year improvement plans.
This reduced funding has raised some eyebrows, as many believe tackling serious issues like student attendance and behaviour needs more investment.
What Happened in the Earlier Schemes?
The earlier behaviour scheme was reviewed last year. Students said behaviour in schools had slightly worsened during the first term. However, in schools located in poorer areas, students said things had actually improved.
Teachers and school staff were more positive. Many felt that student behaviour had gotten better over time and said they felt more supported with new tools and training.
Another scheme focused on improving attendance began in 2022 but did not receive any dedicated funding. It was supported by the Attendance Action Alliance, led by former education secretary Gillian Keegan, and included experts from education, health, police, and children’s welfare services.
Leadership Changes and New Appointments
Tom Bennett (former behaviour tsar) and Rob Tarn (former attendance tsar) are no longer part of the programme. However, the Department for Education (DfE) said they are welcome to apply again for the new ambassador roles.
The two new ambassadors will take on an important role—representing schools’ concerns at the national level and helping to shape strategies for improvement.
The government’s new plan to support 500 schools through joint attendance and behaviour hubs is a fresh step to improve discipline and reduce absences. With additional training for thousands more schools and new ambassadors acting as communication bridges, there is hope for positive change. However, with funding lower than in past initiatives, there are concerns about how effective the programme will be. For real results, strong leadership, proper planning, and enough resources will be essential to support schools that need it the most.
