School refusing 6 year old, what to do?

[Twoweeksinaugust]

6 y/o ds has always been happy enough to go to school, he's never loved it but he goes without complaint.

For the last 3 Mondays he's refused to go, 1st time I handled it terribly and shouted as I needed to get to work and was stressed. Last week I was absolutely calm and let him stay home. Gave him a pep talk last night, he was in floods of tears and has refused to go today.

He just keeps saying he'll miss us too much. School office say nothing unusual happens on a Monday except whole school assembly, he tells me this isn't the problem.

Teacher has been absolutely useless and not returned my call to discuss / make a plan.

I'm at my wits end. He's home now, been told if he stays home he's to play in his room all day as we're WFH, there'll be no playing in the garden, trip to the park etc....I'm hoping he'll get so bored he goes to school.

He eats well, sleeps well, gets loads of exercise and fresh air.

Any advice? Please don't say physically force him, I won't, he's strong and determined and one of us will get injured, plus he's too heavy to carry 2 miles to school!

1st, sorry you're going through this, it's upsetting seeing your child so upset. I've been there with my own child and as a TA I've seen loads of children like this.
Is there a 'safe' person at school that could come out to the car in the morning? I've worked with children like this and having a safe person who the child trusts is great for boosting their confidence and for helping them talk about what is bothering them.
I would ask to talk face to face with class teacher, TA and the SENCO about how they can support you and him.

Absolutely. The advice in that post is shocking.

When my little girl was avoiding school, I made a point of beig trasnparent with her. Showed her that I was in complete contact with the school to show that I would collect her at any point. I got her a little knitted(textured) heart and sprayed my perfume on it. Told her to smell it any time she felt she missed me.

I did tell her school was non-negotiable and am really open about what school means long term. I work in a school and deal with a lot of children who struggle with going to school. Staying at home is the start of a really bad habit. It tends to go downhill quickly.

Still needs to go to school!