Relationships are crucial for managing attendance. Positive and supportive relationships between students and school staff can significantly influence a child or young persons’ attitudes towards school, their sense of belonging and ultimately their attendance.
Positive Impacts of Strong Staff-Student Relationships
Increased Engagement and Motivation
When children and young people feel that staff care about them personally, they are more likely to be motivated to attend school regularly.
Staff who understand students’ children and young peoples and backgrounds can adapt their teaching to be more engaging and relevant, encouraging regular attendance.
Emotional Support
Children and young people who have trusting relationships with staff are more likely to feel safe and supported which can reduce anxiety and absenteeism.
Staff who are attuned to children and young peoples’ emotional well-being can provide or facilitate access to mental health support, addressing issues that might lead to absenteeism.
Academic Support
Teachers who build strong relationships with children and young people can better identify and address academic challenges, helping students stay on track and feel more competent, reducing the likelihood of skipping school.
Positive reinforcement and constructive feedback from staff can boost children and young peoples’ self-esteem and commitment to attending school.
Behaviour
Staff who know their children and young people well can manage behaviour more effectively and empathetically, reducing conflicts and disciplinary absences.
Strong relationships facilitate better communication and conflict resolution, helping to maintain a positive school climate.
Parental Engagement
Staff who build relationships with both pupils and their families can foster a stronger home-school connection, encouraging parental involvement in addressing attendance issues. Regular and positive communication between staff and parents/carers can ensure that issues affecting attendance are addressed promptly and collaboratively.
Strategies to Foster Strong Staff-Student Relationships
Professional Learning
Providing staff with professional learning on how to build and maintain positive relationships with children and young people can equip them with the skills needed to support pupils effectively.
Professional learning outlining your schools context supports staff understand and respect children and young peoples’ diverse backgrounds, fostering inclusive relationships.
Mentor Programs
Establishing mentor programs where practitioners mentor children and young people can create strong bonds and provide additional support for at-risk students.
Facilitating peer mentor programs can also improve students sense of belonging, with staff overseeing and supporting these relationships.
Consistent and Positive Interactions
Encouraging staff to have regular, informal check-ins with children and young people can help build trust and show that staff care about their wellbeing.
Staff should consistently recognise and praise children and young peoples’ efforts and achievements, fostering a positive and supportive environment.
Child-Centred Approaches
Involving children and young people in decision-making processes about their learning and school environment can make them feel valued and respected.
Creating flexible and child-centred learning environments can help meet the diverse needs of students, encouraging attendance.
Inclusive Community and Extracurricular
Staff involvement in extracurricular activities and after-school programs can provide additional opportunities for relationship building.
Encouraging staff to participate in community events and activities can help them understand and connect with children and young peoples’ lives outside of school.
