Almost 20 per cent of students in the South West ‘miss too much school’

Education experts have described school absenteeism in parts of the South West as a “really serious problem”.

According to OfstedSchools in Cornwall, Plymouth and Torbay had persistent absenteeism rates – meaning pupils attend less than 90% of classes – of around 23% in autumn 2023 and spring 2024, putting them at the bottom of England. I am the most.

Leigh Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, said children who miss lessons regularly are at risk of falling behind.

The Department for Education (DfE) said it was working with Ofsted to improve absence figures covering state-funded primary, secondary and special schools.

According to Ofsted, Torbay had a persistent absence rate of 23.2% compared to Plymouth’s 23.1% and Cornwall’s 22.7%.

Devon had a rate of 20.5% while the Isles of Scilly was the only region in the South West at 17.1% below the England average of 19.2% for autumn and spring 2023/24.

Ofsted said missing 10% of school sessions equates to around seven days of absence across the term.

Mr Elliott-Major said: “This is a really serious problem, particularly for social mobility because it is children from under-resourced or disadvantaged backgrounds who miss school the most.

“If they’re not dropping out, they’re going to fall behind others and not do well in the classroom.”

Schools in Cornwall, Plymouth and Torbay are working on schemes to encourage pupils who do not regularly attend class.

Marine Academy in Plymouth said it has set up a “Make Their Day” project where friends or family can make special requests for students as part of their school day.

Jane Berming, head teacher at the secondary school, said: “What we are finding is that small acts of kindness and personal attention are making students feel really valued.

“It’s also getting them to recognize that school is a place that’s not just about learning, it’s about making connections, memories and meaningful relationships.”

The DfE said the government was working with Ofsted to introduce school report cards to give parents a “more complete picture of school performance”.

A DfE spokesman said: “As the report highlights, education is fundamental to this country’s future success – which is why we are once again putting it at the forefront of national life.”