Pupil absence is the biggest issue facing schools across Oxfordshire
A new report says suspensions and unauthorised absences contributed to 32-million days of lost learning in 2022.
A Headteacher in Oxfordshire says pupil absences is the biggest issue facing schools across the country.
New research shows that nationally there have been 32-million days of lost learning in 2022 following the pandemic - because of suspensions and unauthorised absences.
It also says there was a 20 percent surge in exclusions in England over the last academic year.
Rob Pavey is the Headteacher at Cheney School in Oxford. He says that they’ve seen a 50% increase in children missing school, with over 150 pupils being absent from school on an average day.
Mr Pavey said: “Of all the things that we have been working on pupil absences is the one that has been the most stubbornly difficult to shift, if there was an easy solution we would have fixed it.”
Missing out on vital learning is almost bound to have a negative impact on a child’s education, according to Mr Pavey.
He said: “The difference between someone coming into school 50% of the time compared to 90% of the time is around a whole GCSE grade or more.
“You’re also missing out on all of the other very important life lessons. I’d say that those things which are not easily measured are actually much more important than the GCSE grades”.
Youngsters from low-income backgrounds are said to be among the affected. Mr Pavey said: “We can’t afford for particularly the most vulnerable families to lose out on their education.
As education is the main route for most people out of disadvantaged backgrounds and poverty. What we try very hard to do is remove the barriers so that the kids can come to school and be successful.”
Education leaders have warned of challenging behaviour in classrooms and an attendance crisis after Covid-19.
Mr Pavey said: “Post-pandemic a lot more parents are working from home and there’s something in that it’s become a lot more normal to work from home.
“School is different, it’s one of the very few places where you’ve got to be there as there isn’t the online or work from home option.
“I don’t want to blame parents for this, I understand how hard and difficult it is.”
Suspensions and exclusions are a rising factor contributing to the absence of pupils in schools.
A new "Who's Losing Learning Solutions Council" will set out how the education sector should respond to the challenge of suspensions and exclusions after hearing evidence from school leaders, parents and relevant organisations.
Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and chairman of the Who's Losing Learning Solutions Council, said: "This sobering report on school exclusions suggests we have lost sight of what we should care about most: the wellbeing and success of those children who experience hardship of one form or another.
"For too long as a system we've considered the needs of these young people last rather than first. Young people have one chance at a good education and if we are to improve their attainment and their life opportunities.
Department for Education (DfE) data published in July showed there were 786,961 suspensions in the 2022/23 academic year in England, compared with 578,280 in 2021/22 - a rise of 36%.
Overall, there were 9,376 permanent exclusions in 2022/23, compared with 6,495 the year before - a rise of 44%, the figures showed.
A DfE spokesperson said: “We are determined to get to grips with the causes of poor behaviour; we've already committed to providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school, introducing free breakfast clubs in every primary school, and ensuring earlier intervention in mainstream schools for pupils with special needs.
"But we know poor behaviour can also be rooted in wider issues, which is why the Government is developing an ambitious strategy to reduce child poverty led by a taskforce co-chaired by the Education Secretary so that we can break down the barriers to opportunity."