Teachers noticing rising number of children's absences in schools - and not for sickness

Teachers have noticed a rise in the number of children missing school in the last year – for reasons other than sickness and holidays. A study, of 500 primary and secondary teachers, found 70 percent think absences have risen as a result of more parents letting children stay at home (60 percent), as well as an increase in poor mental health (59 percent) and anxiety (46 percent).

And 34 percent believe some pupils fell so far behind during Covid that they no longer see the benefit of being in school, while 31 percent are concerned that cost-of-living pressures on parents mean they struggle to buy uniform or equipment.

Others blame a lack of support for children with extra needs in school (31 percent), and an increase in bullying (22 percent).

As a result, almost three-quarters (73 percent) of the teachers surveyed, to launch Kellogg’s 2024 Breakfast Club Awards, fear that those missing school are falling behind with their learning – while 53 percent worry it also impacts the rest of the class.

It comes after a separate report, by the Centre for Mental Health, and the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Charity, revealed 150,000 children are now classed as severely absent, while one in five miss at least 10 percent of school time.

A spokesman for Kellogg’s Breakfast Club Awards, said: “School is such a huge part of childhood, but a large number are missing it for a variety of reasons.

“As the research shows, this is becoming a wide-reaching problem, and not only affects the child who is missing school, but also the rest of the class.

“Breakfast clubs can play a part in helping to get children back in school, by providing a relaxed and social environment for them to enjoy before starting lessons.

“Having breakfast provided also takes a small bit off the pressure felt by parents who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, and allows them to ensure children are in school before they start work.”

Teachers believe an average of 16 percent of the children under their care have missed school for reasons other than short-term sickness or holiday during the current school year.

And an estimated six-and-a-half hours of their working week is currently spent dealing with absenteeism.

For 44 percent of those polled, via OnePoll, this makes their own job harder, and leaves four in 10 teachers spending more time simply trying to get pupils into school, rather than actually teaching them.

But it’s not just the child’s learning that suffers when they miss school – as two-thirds of teachers feel it also impacts their social skills, while 63 percent think it reduces their confidence.

Their mental wellbeing (62 percent), behaviour when back in school (61 percent), and their friendships (57 percent), also suffer.

To encourage children to attend class, some have gone above and beyond by visiting the child’s home (21 percent), offering extra tuition out of school hours (19 percent) – or even collecting the youngster from home themselves (17 percent).

But of the 84 percent who work in a school with a breakfast club, nearly half (46 percent) feel these have a positive impact on absenteeism.

And of those who feel this way, 59 percent believe that access to a free breakfast helps pupils concentrate, and makes them less likely to fall behind, while 58 percent think it’s easier for struggling parents to get children into school if food is provided.

Others think it helps by allowing parents to ensure their child is in school before they start work (53 percent), and by calming them down before lessons, leading to less need for discipline (41 percent).

Maura Furber, headteacher at St. Stephens Community Academy, in Cornwall, said: “Our school has been running a breakfast club for 10 years now, and it’s been incredible to see the positive impact it has.

“Not only does it set the children up for a day of learning, but it also has a consequent impact on the attendance of our pupils. Since introducing our club, we’ve seen big reductions in absenteeism.

“Children genuinely look forward to coming into school to have breakfast with their friends – it’s an opportunity to burn off some energy, play games, and ease in before learning begins.

“This means it’s less of a challenge for parents to motivate their children in the mornings to get them into the classroom.

“I’ve seen it first-hand, where we’ve really struggled to get children into school and seen it begin to impact their education, until they’ve joined the breakfast club and turned a real corner.”

The spokesman for Kellogg’s, which is offering schools the chance to win £1,000 for its breakfast club, added: “We understand the important role breakfast clubs can play in a pupil’s life, as well as the impact it can take on tackling absenteeism.

“We hope that by continuing to support the scheme, we can help to get children back into school and thriving.”