Responding to a new report from the Education Policy Institute (EPI) which estimates that up to 300,000 children missed education entirely last year, Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“It is extremely concerning that so many children are missing school entirely, both for their education, but also potentially their safety.

“That is why it’s so important that the government’s Children’s Wellbeing Bill delivers its promised, desperately-needed requirement for councils to maintain a register of children who are not in school, something NAHT has long called for.

“Schools work tirelessly to provide an inclusive environment, and ensure children engage in education, but there are many factors affecting this, including the pandemic, cost of living crisis, and a decade of austerity under previous governments.

“Many councils have reduced early support for families amid government cuts, while funding for children’s mental health services and provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities has failed to keep pace with demand. A lack of capacity in essential services for pupils with additional needs sometimes makes it very difficult for local authorities and schools to provide the level of support they need.

“What is needed is significant new investment in services like local attendance support teams, children’s social care, mental health services and special needs provision, and real action to tackle the poverty which fuels issues in families lives and makes it harder for young people to attend and flourish at school.”