Rising Tide of School Absences in Scarborough

Children not attending school and missing out on the benefits of education have been the focus of concerted efforts by North Yorkshire Council and the county's health professionals.

In 2023/24 there were 10,076 suspensions in all schools in North Yorkshire, with a total of 19,600 days of lost learning – which is deemed to be education days missed by children and young people when not in school for various reasons. Scarborough is one of the worst-affected areas.

There were 122 permanent exclusions during 2023/24 in all schools in North Yorkshire. Figures reveal more than half of these pupils had a special educational need (SEN).

The council receives about £644 of SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) funding per pupil, while the top funded local authority nationally gets £1,154 per pupil.

School leaders, councillors and representatives from North Yorkshire Council’s children and young people’s service met to discuss the issues and stage workshops to come up with potential solutions.

Solutions included creatively working together to holistically support the children and young people to stay in school, to work with other agencies and partners to help young people feel like part of the school community and to share best practice.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said:

“The challenges following the pandemic continue. Some of our young people are struggling with their mental health, we have more children not attending school, more children with education and health care plans, more children in care and we’re in the most challenging place financially.”

“School is the place of safety for young children. However, many are missing school through all forms of ‘lost learning’. Education matters. I really appreciate the efforts schools are making to improve our schools and to make them more inclusive, education professionals across the county give their heart and soul in an ever-changing landscape.”

Gill Kelly, Public Health Consultant stated:

The council’s executive member for children and families, Cllr Janet Sanderson agreed that schools contribute to wellbeing by providing a safe, calm and supportive learning environment.

She added:

“The challenges schools face are getting greater as the public purse tightens. “This event is important as it shows the commitment we all have to get our children and young people back into learning and with the support they need.”

Councillor David Jeffels is concerned:

Meanwhile, nationally, the Secretary of State, Bridget Phillipson recently stated that the most recent data shows a third of 15-year-olds do not feel they belong in school.

She claimed that there is an “absence epidemic” nationally with one in five children persistently absent, missing a day of school every other week.  

She also acknowledged that the SEND system is “failing families on every measure”.

North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director for children and young people’s services, Stuart Carlton, said:

“We, like other local authorities, have financial challenges with funding SEND provision, combined with a SEND system that isn’t fit for purpose.

“At the same time, we’re in a climate of children not attending school and missing out on their learning. This lost learning has a negative impact on their future with poor exam results and poor job outlooks. We need to turn this around and get children back in the classroom with the dedicated and passionate teachers we have in the county.”

“Schools and trusts must create welcoming, engaging and inclusive spaces for pupils. Our children and young people develop a sense of belonging when they attend school and this maximises their opportunities for life.

“Change is coming and by working together we can come up with the solutions.”