Has your child been absent from school for some time this year? Or has intermittent or long-term staff absence been the problem?
Perhaps your teen is still behind because of the fallout from the pandemic?
Whichever it is, absence can hugely impact how your child’s education progresses.
Why students are absent?
A myriad of reasons prevent young people from attending school regularly. And sometimes, not at all.
Some of the key reasons are because of:
- A learning difficulty such as ASD or ADHD leading to overwhelm
- High anxiety triggering meltdowns or low self-esteem
- Unresolved mental health or SEND struggles
- Being a child carer for a parent at home
- Illness, a family tragedy, moving area
Instead of enjoying a calm pathway through primary and secondary school, problems such as these can result in erratic attendance – and even non-attendance.
The Impact of Non-Attendance
The Government take a hard line regarding youngsters missing school as they want to encourage 100% attendance.
Yet, for some students, this is simply impossible. Of course, gaps then appear in their knowledge.
And although school and eventually the local authority try to step in to support, it can take such a long time to implement any help, that your child could seriously fall behind.
And, as we see day in day out here at 1-2-1 Home Tutors, learning loss can be a debilitating and scary position to be in.
For instance, some students:
- Blame themselves
- Lose total faith in their abilities
- In severe situations – self harm or have suicidal thoughts as they cannot envisage a future
So, you see, it’s desperately important to prevent this situation from escalating.
That said, sometimes – despite your very best efforts – you might find yourself at home with a stressed young person who is struggling to access any education.
It’s a tough road to follow initially, but there is hope.
Options if Absence Is Long-Term
- If your child is still registered with the local authority, they are legally bound to support your child and provide some education either at home, or online.
- IPSEA is a useful organisation as a starting point.
- Home education through private tuition is an option that many parents opt for as the stresses of the school environment have been removed, and can enable your child to re-set.
Feel free to check one of our most popular blog posts about home education. Packed with advice and ideas, it might help you take the next step.
In the meantime, our door is always open if you want to discuss how private tuition or home education might help your child thrive.
Get in touch here.
*Image courtesy of BBC News Online
Tags: anxiety, ASD, Falling behind, Home Education tuition, Low self-esteem, Meltdowns, mental health, Pandemic