An alarming trend is emerging in England’s education system: more than a third of children from poorer families are persistently skipping school. This disturbing revelation comes from a recent study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).
The report highlights a significant increase in absenteeism among disadvantaged pupils since the pandemic, raising concerns about the widening educational gap between rich and poor students. This article delves into the findings and explores the implications for the future of education in England.
Increasing Absenteeism Among Disadvantaged Pupils
More than one third of children from poorer families are now regularly absent from school, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). This figure has increased from 23% before the pandemic to 37% currently. For these pupils, missing education is becoming a frequent issue, amplifying the educational divide.
Educational Inequality
The gap in educational achievement between rich and poor students is widening. Pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to be persistently absent, which exacerbates this divide. Despite overall improvements in English and maths skills, the disparity remains as wide as the gap in educational outcomes between England and Colombia.
Impact of the Pandemic
The legacy of the pandemic continues to affect school attendance. IFS research economist Imran Tahir stated, “If the next government wants to tackle these entrenched inequalities, its challenge will be made even more difficult by the legacy of the pandemic.” This highlights the ongoing struggle to improve attendance rates among disadvantaged pupils.
Rising Absenteeism
Since the pandemic, the number of children missing more than half of their schooling has doubled. Although such high levels of truancy remain rare, the significant increase in absenteeism is concerning educators and politicians alike. The Department for Education reported an overall rise in absences by nearly two-thirds since 2019.
Broad Impact on School Attendance
Not only are disadvantaged pupils more frequently absent, but truancy rates among wealthier students have also risen. One in six wealthier students are now persistently absent, doubling the rate seen before the pandemic. Regular absence across all pupil demographics is up to 14 days a year, compared to nine days previously.
Government Initiatives
Labour has proposed several measures to improve school attendance. These include free breakfast clubs for primary schools, better mental health support, and Ofsted reviews of attendance data. The Government has also invested £15m over three years to address truancy. This initiative aims to support 10,000 severely absent pupils and their families, establishing 18 new ‘attendance hubs’ in England.
Challenging Educational Inequalities
Despite these efforts, the IFS has warned that initiatives to tackle educational inequalities have often fallen short. The attainment gap between pupils on free school meals and their peers remains largely unchanged over the past 20 years. Only 43% of these pupils achieved at least a grade 4 in English and maths last year, compared to 72% of better-off students.
Complex Needs and Mental Health
Addressing the achievement gap is further complicated by rising mental health issues and increasingly complex needs among children. Tahir noted, “Rates of special educational needs and mental health challenges are rising sharply. And twice as many young people now say they strongly dislike school as before the pandemic.” This trend adds significant pressure on schools and teachers.
Need for Comprehensive Policies
Josh Hillman of the Nuffield Foundation emphasised the need for innovative and well-resourced policies to tackle educational inequalities. He stated, “Other government departments will also need to play a part to support the broader well-being of disadvantaged children and young people, essential for their educational development.”
The IFS report paints a troubling picture of rising absenteeism among disadvantaged pupils, underlining the urgent need for action. As the pandemic’s impact continues to reverberate through the education system, it is clear that concerted efforts are required to bridge the growing educational divide.
Innovative and well-funded policies, along with comprehensive mental health support, are essential to address these challenges and ensure that all children have the opportunity to succeed academically. The future of England’s education system depends on it.