Attend Well Study

27/02/2026

We’ve had a lovely day in Cambridge hosting our Spanish and Scottish colleagues, sharing our work on school attendance and talking about how we can work together to improve outcomes for children and young people who struggle to attend school.

During a busy day, we managed a lovely lunch and a quick stroll along the Backs — a welcome chance to keep the conversations going.

We finished the day with two great talks from our guests and came away feeling excited about what comes next!

23/02/2026

https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/65737/addressing-emotionally-based-school-avoidance-causes-consequences-and-interventions/articles

This Research Topic is a great resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers interested in understanding and responding to emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA). “Addressing Emotionally Based School Avoidance: Causes, Consequences, and Interventions” brings together 22 papers exploring the complex drivers of EBSA and related school attendance problems.

Across the collection, a clear message emerges: EBSA is shaped by interacting influences across young people, families, schools, and wider systems — highlighting the need for multi-level, evidence-informed responses grounded in bioecological perspectives.

It was a real pleasure to co-edit this work with Prof. Trude Havik (University of Stavanger), Prof. Carolina Gonzalvez (University of Alicante), and Dr. Sümeyye Ulaş (Erzurum Technical University), and we hope it supports ongoing research, practice, and policy development in this important area.

Chronic school absence is a growing issue in numerous countries, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. School absenteeism can be categorized into several typ...

23/02/2026

📢 Join us: Research Seminar – Why Attendance Matters
Research event exploring how behaviour, motivation, and emotion shape school attendance — and how absences influence academic achievement.

🗓 Date: 26 February 2026
🕓 Time: 16:00 – 17:30
📍 Location: Wolfson College Cambridge, Gatsby Room, Chancellor’s Centre

🔎 Open to researchers, educators, and anyone interested in attendance, wellbeing, and educational outcomes.
We look forward to welcoming you!

20/02/2026

📣 Call for Secondary School Students

Are you a secondary school student who has ever missed school because it felt too stressful to go? Share your experiences with us!

Take part in a short online survey — and if you’d like, you can also join a one-to-one interview with a researcher. Your voice can help schools become places where students feel supported and want to be.

👉 Get involved and make a difference: https://attendwell.org.uk/take-part-in-the-attend-well-study/

Please share with students, parents, and schools who may be interested.

16/02/2026

In our half-term newsletter we update you on:

✅ Our live survey, open to parents/carers and young people who have ever had difficulties with school attendance.

💬 Our interviews with school staff, parents/carers and young people - we are so grateful to everyone who has shared their views so far!

🤝 Our partnership with Nessie, a not-for-profit mental health organisation with a strong focus on EBSNA.

17/12/2025

As the year comes to a close, we just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Attend Well Project.
We’re really proud of the progress made this year and the positive difference it’s already creating — and we’re excited to keep growing and improving together in the year ahead.
From everyone in the Attend Well Team, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 🎁✨🎄
Thank you for being part of our journey!

25/11/2025

28/10/2025

🌟 Help make schools safer and more supportive! 🌟

We’re looking for parents and carers of young people (ages 11–18) who have struggled to attend school because of anxiety, stress, or neurodivergence.

Take part in a study to help create schools where everyone feels safe, supported, and like they belong.

💻 Complete two online questionnaires (30–45 mins each)
🎤 Optional 1-hour interview
🎁 Receive up to £50 in shopping vouchers as a thank you!

👉 Find out more in the video below and help us make a difference! 💙

28/10/2025

📣Calling Secondary School Staff!

We’re running a study to better understand and address Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) — and we’d love your input.

🗣️ Take part in a 45-minute interview (online or in person) to share your thoughts about school attendance.
💳 Receive a £30 voucher as a thank you!

👉 Interested? Visit attendwell.org.uk to take part!
Help make schools places where every young person feels safe, supported, and wants to be. 💙

27/10/2025

📣Has your child has found it hard to go to school because of anxiety, stress or neurodivergence?

We are looking for parents/carers to help us make schools safer, more supportive, and better for everyone!

Who are we looking for?
🔺 Parents/carers of young people aged 11–18
🔺 Your child has found it hard to go to school because of anxiety, stress or neurodivergence

What will I be asked to do?
📱 Fill in two 30-45 minutes online questionnaires (now and in 12 months)
💻 Join a 1-hour interview.
🛍️ You’ll get a £10 shopping voucher for completing each questionnaire, and an extra £30 if you take part an interview.

21/10/2025

Not long to go!!!