This study is the first of its kind to focus upon primary head teachers and teachers' attitudes to attendance issues in two distinct but similar-size authorities in England. As part of the fieldwork 192 head teachers were interviewed and a similar number of primary teachers from the same schools. All Heads of special schools within the authorities and a similar number of teachers from the same schools participated. The data were analysed and presented by group. The conclusions suggest that the data may provide significant insights into attendance issues for other education authorities, primary head teachers, teachers and special school staff. It should also be helpful to those interested in attendance issues such as education welfare officers, attendance officers, learning mentors, homeschool liaison officers, advisers and school improvement staff as well as parents, researchers and policy makers.