Council say 'education is vital' amid drop in school attendance
Cornwall Council are urging parents and young people to seek help if they need it - ahead of the new school year
Ahead of the new school year, Cornwall Council's reminding parents across the Duchy that school attendance is the key for students to fulfil their dreams.
It's as figures show school attendance has dropped considerably in recent years - at 8.5 per cent in our county for the last school year.
That's well above pre-covid rates of between 4 and 5 per cent.
There can be many barriers for parents not wanting their kids to go to school, or for kids not wanting to school, but the advice from Cornwall Council is to speak up and seek help.
'The start of a new school year can be difficult'
Kate Evan-Hughes, service director for education and community health, said: “We understand that the start of a new school year can be a difficult time for parents. You, your child, or both of you could be experiencing a lot of anxiety about it for a multitude of reasons.
“But these barriers must be broken down because attendance at school is key to shaping your child’s future and supporting them in achieving their dreams.
“Daunting as it may be to tackle the issues you’re facing, there is a huge range of support available to you from the council’s Education Welfare Service and the school itself. So, if school attendance is likely to become an issue don’t hang around, speak up and seek help.”
Worries can span from concern about upcoming exams, family worries, falling out with friends, bullying, or general stress and anxiety.
Across the country, attendance figures show school attendance has dropped considerably in recent years.
Nationally, the absence rate for the 2022/23 school year was 7.4%, which is well above the rates of 4-5% seen pre-COVID.
In Cornwall the figure is slightly higher at 8.5%.
Furthermore, 24.2% of pupils nationally were described as ‘persistently absent’, meaning they missed 10% or more half-day school sessions.
Again, in Cornwall, this figure was higher at 34.5%.
'Getting an education is vital'
Cllr Barbara Ellenbroek, cabinet member for children and families at Cornwall Council, said: “My message to all the children and young people out there is this: if you want to give yourself the best opportunities in life and become the best version of yourself then attending school and getting an education is vital.
“It might be the last thing you want to do, what with all the other things going on in your life, but it really is important. So, if you find yourself wanting to skip school, talk to someone about why. Talk to a teacher. Talk to your family. Check out the tips and advice on the Start Now website, as they might have been written by someone going through the same things as you.
“Those barriers you’re facing are there to be smashed down, and there are lots of people out there who can help you do this.”
Help for parents and carers can be found on the Headstart Kernow website.
Advice for young people is available on the Start Now website, which is run by young people for young people.
You can also visit the council’s Education Welfare Service web pages for more information on attendance and how to access support.
You can find out more about the latest figures here.