We are proud to share a significant achievement across our family of academies: student attendance is rising at an exceptional rate, reflecting the dedication and collective effort of our staff.
Over the past two academic years, attendance has become a strategic priority across the Trust. We recognise that high-quality teaching and learning can only have impact when students are present to benefit from it — and our data shows that this shared commitment is delivering results.
Key Highlights:
- 2023/24: Attendance increased by 1.3%, positioning FMAT as the 7th most improved Trust nationally.
- 2024/25: A further 1.6% rise was recorded — double the national rate of improvement.
- Autumn Term 2025: For the first time since the pandemic, every FMAT academy concluded the first half-term with attendance exceeding 90%.
To contextualise this progress, national attendance currently stands at approximately 92.8%, and FMAT is improving at a rate ten times faster than the national average.
What’s Driving Our Success?
Our approach is rooted in:
- Robust systems that support early intervention and consistent monitoring.
- A culture of care and accountability, where attendance is viewed as a shared responsibility.
- The unwavering commitment of our staff — from attendance officers and classroom teachers to pastoral teams and support colleagues.
Importantly, these improvements are being achieved in communities facing significant socio-economic challenges, where national trends often show declining attendance. FMAT is not only improving — we are helping to lead the national recovery.
A Collective Achievement
We extend our sincere thanks to all attendance teams for their tireless work, and to every member of staff for creating environments where students feel safe, supported, and motivated to attend. This is a Trust-wide success, and one that reflects the strength of our shared values and collaborative ethos.
Martyn Jobling
Director of Education
FMAT
