Labour Pledges to Address School Absences and Repair Strained Relationships with Families

Labour has committed to addressing the issue of student absences and improving the strained relationship between schools and families.

In an upcoming speech, Bridget Phillipson, Shadow Education Secretary, will address pressing issues such as the rise in school absenteeism and the mental health crisis among children.

Phillipson will present Labour's response to these problems, contrasting it with the government's purportedly inadequate measures. The Labour plan includes providing more mental health counselors in secondary schools and free breakfast programs for all primary pupils in England.

Phillipson has highlighted the increasing problem of habitual absences, which jeopardizes children's future opportunities. She emphasized the role of parents in ensuring their children's regular school attendance and warned against unnecessary absences.

A survey from the Centre for Social Justice found mixed parental attitudes towards the necessity of daily school attendance post-pandemic. However, a clear majority of parents recognize the importance of consistent school attendance.

In response, the Department for Education (DfE) is set to announce new initiatives, including funding for "attendance mentors" to support persistently absent students in targeted areas.

This follows a successful pilot program by Barnardo's charity. The DfE is also launching a campaign to highlight the significance of regular attendance.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has prioritized addressing absences, with the DfE's figures showing an uptick in unauthorised and illness-related absences compared to pre-pandemic levels.