School attendance in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) has shown a slight increase over the past two years but still remains well below pre-pandemic levels, as highlighted in a recent council report. The report, presented to the education and inclusion scrutiny committee on September 11, revealed that for the 2023/24 academic year, RCT secondary school attendance figures reached 86.9%, marking a 1.1% rise from the previous academic year’s figure of 85.8%.
Furthermore, the report indicated that 13 out of the 17 mainstream secondary phases in RCT saw an improvement in attendance between 2022/23 and 2023/24. Despite this increase, the council report noted that RCT’s secondary attendance is still 0.7% below the all-Wales average of 87.6%.
The impact of the pandemic on attendance levels was acknowledged in the report, which revealed that primary school attendance in 2023/24 stood at around 91.7%, representing a 0.7% increase from the previous year. However, attendance at the secondary level remains a concern, with figures still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels, particularly in the secondary phase.
The report also highlighted the significant disparities in attendance among RCT schools, with attendance rates ranging from 87.5% to 95.4% at different primary schools. Notably, the gap in attendance between students receiving free school meals and those who do not widened during the period.
In conclusion, the council emphasised the importance of improving school attendance and addressing the wide-ranging impacts it has on learners, schools, and the community. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the report expressed optimism about the gradual improvements in attendance over the past two years and the continuous commitment to enhancing attendance rates in the future.