# Scotland weighs quieter school bells to ease anxiety and improve attendance

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/so-how-do-you-cut-the-truancy-rate-turn-down-the-school-bell/
- Published: 2026-11-03T18:13:27+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-03T18:34:53+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16262907/So-you-cut-truancy-rate-Turn-school-bell.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Business, Markets, World

## Key points

- Scotland is considering quieter or bell-free schools.
- Supporters say bells can add noise and anxiety.
- Attendance has improved over the past two years.

## Summary

The Scottish Government is considering whether schools could lower or remove bells as part of efforts to reduce pupil anxiety and improve attendance. The idea was discussed during a Holyrood inquiry, after a parliamentary report suggested changes to the school environment could help pupils feel more comfortable.

Education committee convener Karen Adam said a bell-free school she visited felt calmer and pupils moved between classes more smoothly while managing their own time. A teachers’ representative said bells can create noisy, chaotic moments, while Conservatives argued the focus should instead be on discipline and consequences for truancy. Government guidance says attendance problems have varied causes, and attendance has improved over the past two years.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.