We’re delighted to announce that Chaucer School has been named one of the top three most improved secondary schools in the country for attendance, following the latest data published by the Department for Education (DfE).
Analysed by The Excellence Hub, the DfE’s national figures for autumn and spring terms ranked Chaucer as the third most improved state-funded secondary school for reducing overall absence. The school, which is part of INOVA Multi-Academy Trust, also placed in the top 20 nationally for reducing persistent absence, making it one of only eight schools in England to appear on both lists.
Assistant Headteacher for Attendance, Dave Mountford, said:
“To feature on both lists is a remarkable achievement for our school and a real reflection of the hard work and commitment of our staff, students, and families. We’re proud that the improvement is continuing this year, and Chaucer School is hitting record attendance levels in the current 2025-26 academic year.”
The achievement highlights the strong culture of care and support at Chaucer School, where staff have worked closely with families to improve engagement and ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Jo Crewe, Headteacher at Chaucer School, added:
“This recognition is a testament to the collective effort across our school community. Every member of staff has played a role in supporting attendance, and it’s been wonderful to see that dedication translate into such meaningful national progress.”
The DfE data shows Chaucer’s absence rate reduced by over six percentage points across the academic year, and persistent absence fell by more than twelve percentage points, which places the school among the best-improving in the country.
This success marks an important milestone for Chaucer School and reinforces its ongoing commitment to helping every student achieve their full potential through consistent attendance and high-quality education.