In the aftermath of the pandemic, UK schools are facing a persistent and worrying trend: a school attendance crisis in the UK marked by declining student attendance. According to the Department for Education, over 20% of secondary pupils were persistently absent during the last academic year. The reasons are complex, but the implications are clear—gaps in learning, social disconnection, and long-term consequences for achievement. As educators and families grapple with how to bring students back into consistent learning routines, tutoring is emerging as a vital part of the solution.
Understanding the School Attendance Crisis
School attendance in the UK has not fully recovered since COVID-19. While temporary closures and remote learning disrupted routines, ongoing issues such as student anxiety, mental health concerns, cost-of-living pressures, and a shift in attitudes toward traditional schooling continue to impact attendance rates, contributing to a school attendance crisis across the UK.
“The school attendance crisis in the UK is more than a statistic—it’s a wake-up call to provide tailored support that reconnects students with learning and wellbeing.”
Many families report that their children feel disengaged from school life, struggling to find meaning or motivation in the classroom. For some, a single missed day can lead to anxiety about returning and catching up, creating a cycle of avoidance during the school attendance crisis.
At the same time, schools are stretched thin. Teachers are working hard to close learning gaps, but large class sizes and limited resources make it difficult to give every student the personal support they need to reintegrate successfully, especially amid the current school attendance crisis.
How Tutoring Can Help
Tutoring—particularly one-to-one or small group support—can offer a lifeline for students affected by the attendance crisis. It helps in several key ways:
1. Rebuilding Confidence: Many persistently absent students feel overwhelmed by how much they’ve missed. Tutors can work at a pace tailored to the individual, helping them catch up without the pressure of a full classroom.
2. Providing Structure: For students who’ve fallen out of the habit of daily school, regular tutoring appointments can help reintroduce routine and accountability in a non-judgmental way.
3. Creating a Safe Learning Space: Whether online or in person, tutoring provides a calm, focused environment where students can ask questions without fear of embarrassment or peer comparison.
4. Supporting Mental Health: Tutors are not therapists, but the consistent, encouraging presence of a trusted adult can help reduce anxiety and support emotional wellbeing.
5. Re-engaging with Education: Tutors can help reignite curiosity and purpose in learning, particularly when they tailor content to a student’s interests and strengths. In light of the school attendance crisis UK is experiencing, this approach can be particularly effective.
Online Tutoring: A Flexible Alternative
For students struggling to return to school due to anxiety or health issues, online tutoring offers an accessible, low-pressure solution. Companies like Battersea House provide expert tutors in core subjects such as English, Maths, and Science, allowing students to get back on track from the comfort of their home during the ongoing school attendance crisis in the UK.
Online tutoring is also a valuable tool for students who are returning to school but need extra reinforcement outside of class. Flexible scheduling makes it easy to fit into busy or unpredictable routines.
You can read more about the benefits of online tutoring in our article: Why Online Tutoring Works for Modern Students.
Case Study: Rebuilding Momentum
Consider a Year 10 student who missed large portions of Year 9 due to illness and anxiety. Returning to school felt daunting, and falling behind in Maths made the situation worse. With the help of a weekly online tutor, they began to rebuild their understanding—at first in short 30-minute sessions, and eventually working back up to full participation in lessons and homework.
Tutoring was not just about learning topics; it was about restoring confidence. The student went from feeling like they were “bad at school” to actively contributing in class again, something that alleviated their concerns about the school attendance crisis UK schools are dealing with.
For a broader perspective on tutoring’s role in today’s learning environment, visit our blog post on The Future of Tutoring in the UK.
Working Together: Parents, Schools and Tutors
Combating the attendance crisis requires collaboration. Parents, schools, and tutors all play a role in identifying barriers to attendance and finding solutions that support the whole child. Communication between tutors and teachers (with consent) can help ensure efforts are aligned and consistent.
Some local authorities and schools are now funding tutoring as part of reintegration plans, recognising its role in early intervention. Families can also seek support privately, especially where long-term absences require more personalised recovery plans.
Final Thoughts
The school attendance crisis in the UK is not just about missing lessons—it’s about missed connections, lost confidence, and the risk of long-term disengagement. Tutoring offers a targeted, compassionate way to reconnect students with learning, rebuild academic skills, and support emotional wellbeing.
As we move forward, personalised tutoring—whether online or in person—should be part of any serious strategy to address persistent absence and ensure every student has the chance to thrive.
Explore how Battersea House is supporting students affected by the school attendance crisis UK is currently facing. Find out more about our tutoring services or browse more resources like AI in the Classroom: Friend or Foe? to see how technology and human connection can work together in education.