Commenting on school attendance figures published today by the Department for Education, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“Clearly, the best place for students is in school but there are many factors that can result in absence.
"One obvious issue is the lack of resources and difficulties of access to mental health services for children and young people. Many secondary schools now report a two-year wait for CAMHS meetings, and in turn GPs are looping families back to schools because there are simply not enough CAMHS appointments in the local area. This means young people are not receiving timely interventions and personal responses. This logjam is also placing enormous pressure on school staff and parents.
“We need to see a much quicker rollout of mental health hubs across the country, as well as more counsellors and school nurses in all secondary settings.
“It is also clear that the narrowing of subject choices and an 'exam factory' culture in our schools is demotivating for many young people. Children and young people need a more stimulating and enriching curriculum – one which is relevant and fit for purpose. It is vital that the ongoing Curriculum and Assessment Review corrects this course that schools have been stuck on for many years."