Why do we have an absence crisis?
The issue of student absence has reached crisis point in many schools, with data revealing a strong correlation between rising absenteeism and declining mental health. Department for Education data shows the number of school pupils who are persistently absent in England has doubled since the pandemic.
Furthermore, recent research from the Office for National Statistics shows that there is estimated to be 71,000 fewer pupils in schools by 2028 due to a variety of factors, including mental health struggles. Studies show that one in five students in England missed school persistently in the past year, which points to a broader problem of disengagement.
Inclusion is at the centre of the problem. At present, 20% of the world’s population have at least one neurodivergent condition, meaning one in every five students processes information differently. Yet education systems continue to operate on a one-size-fits-all policy, thus failing to recognise the diverse needs of students. As a result, students can’t see themselves reflected in teaching methods and are therefore more likely to disengage from the classroom.
The connection between absenteeism and mental health challenges in students requires providing practical, actionable strategies that school leaders can implement to combat the absence crisis in their own schools. By prioritising inclusive practices, using innovative technology and supporting student wellbeing, school leaders can make meaningful strides in re-engaging students and addressing the current absence crisis.
The correlation between student absence and declining mental health
Government advice states that children must get an education between the ages of five and 16, and they are only allowed to miss school if they are too ill to attend or have advanced permission from the school. Yet students who experience social, emotional or mental health challenges, as well as those in care, are more than twice as likely to miss portions of their primary or secondary education in mainstream schools compared to their cohort.