Teachers and school staff in England and Wales have expressed deep skepticism about their system’s ability to tackle a worsening attendance crisis, with many admitting they would take their own children on unauthorized term-time holidays if possible. According to a new report, nearly one in five pupils is now missing at least 10% of school, yet frontline workers say the current approach lacks the structure and urgency needed to address the problem. The findings stem from a three-year research programme involving focus groups with staff who question whether existing policies truly prioritize regular attendance. With growing frustration over enforcement and support, the report raises concerns about whether schools can bridge the gap between rhetoric and reality.
School staff tell focus groups they believe school system in England and Wales cannot deal with attendance crisisTeachers have so little belief in the importance of pupils’ full school attendance that they would take their own children on term time holidays if they could, staff have told a three-year research programme.Frontline staff do not believe the school system is set up to deal with an ongoing attendance crisis in England and Wales, where nearly one in five children are now missing at least 10% of school, according to a report based on in-depth conversations with teachers. Continue reading...
