Tackling absence is not a quick fix

Persistent school absence has serious and long-term consequences on children and young people. The latest data (Department for Education [DfE], 2024) shows a 20.5% persistent absence rate.

While we wait for change, this is our role…

The latest statistics from the NHS tell us that 20.3% of 8 to 16-year-olds have a probable mental health condition–up from 12.1% in 2017 when this research was first carried out.

The growing shadow of poverty and crisis

With another new school year comes more evidence of families being pushed to the brink and the impact on students in our schools.

School attendance is everyone's business

Attendance is everyone's business and, as a new school year begins, it must be our priority. Pupil absence remains a key challenge for schools post-COVID. The figures for persistent absence are, quite...

A government's shame as pupils go hungry

With food inflation expected to hit 17% early next year (Nabarro, 2022) there is a sense of foreboding looming over schools at what they will witness in the coming months.

Fear of the future: A public health risk

Don't put yourself last

Taking long COVID seriously