Edge Hill University<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This research project has been conducted in collaboration with a primary school by employing Research Circle (RC) (Persson, 2009), a Swedish tool for conducting participatory action research \u2018with each other, not for or on\u2019 (Holmstrand et al., 2008, p. 3) the participants. The study aims to uncover the critical issues of school attendance, attainment (GOV.UK, 2025) and its impact on children\u2019s future life chances. The study explores the views and experiences of school staff and children\u2019s parents, families and carers (PFCs) of the phenomenon of low school attendance rates, its causes and PFCs\u2019 engagement. A mixed-methods approach (Johnson & Onwuegbuzie, 2004) is employed. Questionnaire and Focus Group data on attendance patterns and qualitative insights from PFCs and school staff are integrated. RC is a democratic, equalitarian, collaborative, ethical and integral research process (Boardman et al., 2024), where new knowledge and practical support interventions in relation to low school attendance rates, underlying causes, and PFCs\u2019 engagement have been collaboratively created. Preliminary results and findings will be presented. By exploring attendance issues and supporting the PCFs\u2019 engagement, the importance of a holistic approach to education is highlighted. It might be argued that attendance does not equal reaching an unachievable 100% attendance rate for all, but children\u2019s health, well-being and happy development should be a priority. Our RC study results and findings provide valuable insight, first, to the PFC and school staff who actively collaborated with us to complete this study. Secondly, this research will also impact academics, the local community and policymakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boardman, K., Cont, S., & Davey, C. (2024). The ethics and integrity of research with schools, families and communities. Impact(22), 58-61. https:\/\/my.chartered.college\/impact_article\/the-ethics-and-integrity-of-research-with-schools-families-and-communities\/
GOV.UK. (2025). The link between attendance and attainment in an assessment year. https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/media\/67c96d7dd0fba2f1334cf2ed\/The_link_between_attendance_and_attainment_in_an_assessment_year_-_March_2025.pdf
Holmstrand, L., H\u00e4rnsten, G., & Lowstedt, J. (2008). The Research Circle Approach: A Democratic Form for Collaborative Research in Organizations. In A. Shani, Mohrman, S., Pasmore, W., Stymne, B., & Adler, N. (Ed.), Handbook of Collaborative Management Research (pp. 183-200). SAGE Publications. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4135\/9781412976671
Johnson, R. B., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). Mixed methods research: A research paradigm whose time has come. Educational researcher, 33(7), 14-26.
Persson, S. (2009). Research Circles \u2013 A Guidebook. Centre for Diversity in Education, R&D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n