Responding to a new report from the Education Policy Institute
(EPI) which estimates that up to 300,000 children missed
education entirely last year, Paul Whiteman, general secretary at
school leaders' union NAHT, said:
“It is extremely concerning that so many children are missing
school entirely, both for their education, but also potentially
their safety.
“That is why it's so important that the government's Children's
Wellbeing Bill delivers its promised, desperately-needed
requirement for councils to maintain a register of children who
are not in school, something NAHT has long called for.
“Schools work tirelessly to provide an inclusive environment, and
ensure children engage in education, but there are many factors
affecting this, including the pandemic, cost of living crisis,
and a decade of austerity under previous governments.
“Many councils have reduced early support for families amid
government cuts, while funding for children's mental health
services and provision for children with special educational
needs and disabilities has failed to keep pace with demand. A
lack of capacity in essential services for pupils with additional
needs sometimes makes it very difficult for local authorities and
schools to provide the level of support they need.
“What is needed is significant new investment in services like
local attendance support teams, children's social care, mental
health services and special needs provision, and real action to
tackle the poverty which fuels issues in families lives and makes
it harder for young people to attend and flourish at school.”
