The variety of kids lacking not less than half their time in school is 160% greater than earlier than the COVID pandemic, new information reveals.
A complete of 157,038 kids had been severely absent from faculties in England within the spring time period (January to March) this 12 months – a rise of 12.4% in contrast with the identical time period in 2023, the most recent authorities has revealed.
“Severely absent” is outlined as a baby lacking 50% or extra periods at main, secondary and particular state faculties in England.
Politics newest: No 10 points warning amid experiences of cupboard splits over spending cuts
The most recent quantity is 160% greater than earlier than the COVID pandemic, when the federal government closed all faculties in March 2020. A complete of 60,244 kids had been severely absent in autumn 2019, the final full time period earlier than the pandemic.
One in 5 kids was “persistently absent” this spring time period, once they missed 10% or extra faculty periods.
That may be a 5.7% improve in contrast with final 12 months’s spring time period and 67.8% greater than earlier than the pandemic.
When put next with final 12 months, statistics for the most recent autumn and spring phrases present absence is down from 7.3% in 2022/23 to six.9% in 2023/24.
However they continue to be above pre-pandemic ranges.
Picture:
Beth Prescott stated mother and father usually assume their kids do not need to attend faculty. Pic: iStock
Beth Prescott, programme lead on the Centre for Social Justice, stated: “School absence has now become endemic, with parents often thinking it is not essential for children to attend school every day.
“With out sooner and additional motion, just like the nationwide rollout of attendance mentors and a parental participation technique, we will probably be selecting up the items from this unfolding social catastrophe for years to return.”
Paul Whiteman, general secretary at the school leaders’ union NAHT, said schools are working “extremely exhausting to spice up attendance”.
“Nevertheless, the explanations for absence usually lie past the varsity gates, and it’s clear faculties want extra help to sort out unauthorised absence and the customarily deep-rooted points going through kids and households,” he said.
“These embrace every little thing from illness and psychological well being issues to poverty and different social challenges.”
He accused “earlier governments” of failing to correctly fund providers like social care and little one and adolescent psychological well being providers (CAHMS), and chopping schooling welfare officer roles.
