Nearly half of teachers say their job is made harder -by pupils not coming to school
| Published date | 25 April 2024 |
| Publication title | Daily Star: Web Edition Articles (England) |
And 40% feel more of their time is spent just trying to get youngsters to come to school, rather than actually teaching them. Consequently, over half of those polled 53% say that it is not just the absent child that suffers – but the rest of the class, too.
It comes as 70% of teachers have noticed that absences, for reasons other than sickness and holidays, have risen, with six in 10 parents letting their little one stay at home.
Anxiety 46% and poor mental health 59% are some common reasons for this, as well as a rise in bullying 22%, and a lack of support in schools for those with extra educational needs 31%.
Meanwhile, a third of teachers 34% believe that some pupils fell so far behind during Covid that they no longer see the benefit of being in school, while 31% are concerned that cost-of-living pressures on parents mean they struggle to buy uniform or equipment.
The research was commissioned by Kellogg's, to launch the Kellogg’s 2024 Breakfast Club Awards – and found that 73% of teachers fear that those missing school are falling behind with their learning.
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% 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.”
It emerged that the teachers polled, via OnePoll, believe an average of 16% of the children under their care have missed school for reasons other than short-term sickness or holiday during the current school year.
But it’s not just the child’s learning that suffers when they miss school – as two-thirds of teachers feel...
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