Labour Unveils Comprehensive Plan to Enhance School Attendance and Mental Health Support

In a recent address at the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson unveiled a detailed plan designed to improve school attendance across England.

This proposed initiative is not only focused on increasing pupil attendance but also aims to bolster mental health support for students.

Key Proposals

1. Free Breakfast Clubs for Primary Schools

   A cornerstone of Labour’s strategy is the introduction of free breakfast clubs for primary schools. This measure is anticipated to positively influence pupil attendance and contribute to overall student well-being. By ensuring that children start their school day with a nutritious meal, Labour seeks to address one of the barriers to consistent school attendance.

2. Enhanced Investment in Early Speech and Language Support

   Recognizing the critical role of early intervention, Labour’s plan includes a significant increase in funding for speech and language programs. This investment targets potential barriers to effective learning, aiming to support children who may face challenges in communication from an early age.

Addressing Persistent Absence

Labour’s plan tackles the issue of persistent absenteeism head-on.

With over one in five children in England now frequently absent from school—a rate that has doubled since the pre-COVID era—these strategies are essential.

1. National Register for Home-Schooled Pupils

   To better track children who are educated outside mainstream schools, Labour proposes the establishment of a national register for home-schooled pupils. This registry is intended to address the complexities and challenges associated with non-traditional educational settings, ensuring that all children’s educational needs are monitored and supported.

2. Utilizing Ofsted and AI for Attendance Monitoring

   An innovative aspect of Labour’s proposal involves leveraging Ofsted for the review of attendance data and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to identify absence trends. This approach includes linking with existing records from services such as social care to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of attendance monitoring.

Funding Strategy

Bridget Phillipson emphasized that Labour would source the funding for the proposed measures by ending the tax breaks that private schools enjoy.

This strategy reflects Labour’s commitment to reallocating resources to support broader educational welfare, ensuring that public funds benefit the majority of students.

Backing from Education Experts

Labour’s plan has received support from Sir Kevan Collins, the former school catch-up tsar.

Sir Kevan has underscored the enduring impact of the pandemic on school attendance and educational outcomes.

He has highlighted the necessity for a comprehensive response to address the ongoing challenges faced by the education sector, reinforcing the urgency of Labour’s proposed measures.

Government’s Response

In reaction to concerns about school attendance, the government has announced a £15 million investment over three years to create 18 new attendance hubs.

These hubs will supplement the existing 14, bringing the total to 32 across England.

The new hubs are designed to offer tailored support to pupils at 2,000 schools, doubling the previous capacity and expanding the reach of support services.

Focus on Severe Absences

Conservative MP Robin Walker, who chairs the education select committee, has emphasized the need to address severe absences.

He has suggested launching a public information campaign to educate parents on the appropriate conditions for children to stay home due to illness, aiming to prevent unnecessary absences and ensure that children remain in school when they are well enough to attend.

Education Secretary’s Commitment

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has declared addressing attendance issues as her foremost priority.

She stated, “We want all our children to have the best start in life because we know that attending school is vital to a child’s well-being, development, and attainment.

” This statement reflects the government’s commitment to improving school attendance and supporting student welfare.

Conclusion

Labour’s comprehensive plan, combined with the government’s new initiatives, highlights a collective effort to tackle the challenges of school attendance and student well-being in the evolving educational landscape.

Through targeted measures such as free breakfast clubs, increased funding for early interventions, and advanced monitoring techniques, both Labour and the government are working towards ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed in their educational journey.

The commitment to addressing these issues underscores the importance of maintaining a focus on student welfare and educational equity in today’s dynamic environment.