Today’s Friday society and education lesson uses a BBC News report on England’s plan to give every mainstream state school its own pupil-attendance target, amid continuing concern about post-pandemic absence.
Title: All schools in England to get pupil attendance targets, government says
Source: BBC News
Published: August 6, 2026
Original article: BBC News article link
BBC News reports that every mainstream state school in England will receive its own target for improving pupil attendance. The government says schools will be monitored but, according to the BBC, are not expected to face immediate penalties if they miss the targets.
The policy comes after official data showed absence rates still above pre-pandemic levels, with nearly one in five pupils missing at least 10% of school in the 2025/26 academic year. Ministers are encouraging schools to use better data, act earlier when pupils drift away, and offer more Friday clubs and enrichment sessions.
BBC News 報導，英格蘭每一所主流公立學校都將獲得自己的學生出席率改善目標。政府表示會監測各校表現；BBC 了解，若學校沒有達標，短期內不會立即受到處罰。
這項政策出現的背景是，官方數據顯示學生缺席率仍高於疫情前水準；在 2025/26 學年，將近五分之一的學生至少缺席 10% 的上課時間。部長鼓勵學校使用更多數據工具、更早介入可能逐漸遠離規律上課的學生，並在週五提供更多社團與充實課程。
being present at school, work, a meeting, or an event; in education, the rate at which pupils come to school.
In article: “Schools will also be encouraged to offer more clubs and activities on Fridays, to improve attendance at the end of the week.”
出席、到課；在教育情境中，指學生實際到校上課的情況或比率。
the state of not being where someone is expected to be, especially missing school or work.
In article: “It comes as official attendance data, published on Thursday, suggested school absence rates in England remained above pre-pandemic levels...”
缺席、不在場；特別指學生或員工沒有到校、到班或出席原本應該參加的活動。
continuing for a long time or happening repeatedly, often in a way that is difficult to stop.
In article: “The rates of persistent absence have doubled since the pandemic.”
持續的、反覆的；指某種狀況長時間存在或一再發生，通常不容易停止或改善。
watched or checked regularly so that progress, problems, or changes can be noticed.
In article: “The BBC understands schools will not be penalised for missing targets, but they will be monitored.”
受到監測、被定期檢查；指某個情況或表現會被持續觀察，以便掌握進展或問題。
activities or experiences that add extra value to learning, beyond the basic required work.
In article: “He called on schools to put on interesting clubs and enrichment sessions on Fridays ‘so every child stays engaged right through to the end of the week’.”
充實、增廣學習的活動；指在基本課程之外，能增加學習深度、興趣或經驗的課程與活動。