New campaign tackles sharp decline in school attendance

Hull remains locked in a battle against one of the worst school attendance records in the UK, with figures revealing that the issue has worsened since Covid-19 lockdowns. In response, the local authority has launched a new campaign to get pupils back into the classroom.

But the issue needs a joined-up approach, according to the city’s Member of Parliament. Emma Hardy, the MP for Hull West and Haltemprice is sure the problem with attendance in Hull’s schools is not just the responsibility of the teachers and the council – parents and young people need to play their part too.

“Improving attendance cannot be the responsibility of schools alone,” she said. “It requires a joined-up approach, with schools, parents, the local authority and young people all working together to identify barriers and provide the right support. Ultimately, every child should have access to an inclusive, supportive environment where they can thrive and attend school regularly.”

A decade ago, the overall absence rate across Hull sat at six per cent. Fast-forward to 2025/26, and that figure has climbed to nine per cent, underlining a persistent post-lockdown trend where getting pupils into classrooms every morning has become increasingly difficult.

Council leaders and education chiefs maintain that shifting from punitive warnings to a culture of belonging is vital to bringing persistent absentees back through Hull’s schoolgates.

With research clearly demonstrating that daily classroom presence directly correlates with long-term educational attainment, mental health, and future life chances, closing Hull’s attendance gap remains an urgent priority for the city’s civic future.

In a bid to turn the tide, schools, families, and education partners across Hull have launched an innovative community-led attendance push. At the heart of the campaign is a brand-new mascot named Gully.

The mascot has been designed by local pupil, Brooke from The Marvell College, as part of a city-wide competition. Brooke’s submission was chosen from dozens of entries submitted by children and young people from across Hull, aiming to give the campaign a recognisably friendly face.

“I am really excited that my design was chosen,” said Brooke. “I wanted the mascot to be friendly and encourage children to come to school. It feels amazing knowing that people across Hull will see my design.”

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.