Mental health is main cause of rising absences in England, say headteachers
Nearly nine out of 10 report marked rise in pupils missing school due to mental health issues since Covid pandemicChildren’s mental health and anxiety are the biggest drivers behind the sustained rise in school absences since the Covid pandemic, according to headteachers who said the government’s plan to raise fines for parents in England would make no difference.Nearly nine out of 10 secondary school leaders – including attendance officers tasked with tackling absences – said there had been a marked increase in pupils missing school over the past two years because of mental health issues. Continue reading...

Nearly nine out of 10 report marked rise in pupils missing school due to mental health issues since Covid pandemic
Children’s mental health and anxiety are the biggest drivers behind the sustained rise in school absences since the Covid pandemic, according to headteachers who said the government’s plan to raise fines for parents in England would make no difference.
Nearly nine out of 10 secondary school leaders – including attendance officers tasked with tackling absences – said there had been a marked increase in pupils missing school over the past two years because of mental health issues. Continue reading...