To think that mass non-attendance at school is COVID-related?

[ThatDearLilacBird]

It seems like the impact of Covid is still lingering in terms of attendance. Whether it’s fear of getting sick, lingering health concerns or a change in routine during the pandemic, it feels like there’s a pattern of kids (and even parents) being less motivated to go back to school in full force. Has anyone else noticed this or is it just me overthinking it?

Yes. Some just got given a few worksheets.

Head of History here.

I beg to disagree. The ability to think critically, to construct / deconstruct an argument, to know the difference between evidence and explanation (fact and opinion), these are all massively important skills, including in science.

But others are right. Dull and dry curriculums drive disengagement, so does endless rote learning and a hectic environment.

I work in a relatively small secondary (800 kids inc 6th form) and I know the names (bar about 20) of all the kids. That helps. Actually communicating with parents helps. Picking up on the kids at risk of EBSA, and bloody well doing something about it, really helps. But I'm old. Quite a few of us are old. We're bucking the trend whereby the UK has some of the youngest and lowest paid teachers in Europe. Our attendance has improved since 2019. Oh, and we're at something like 70% PP and 15% SEN.

As I say, the ability to think critically, to take apart problems and find creative solutions ...

I’d suggest that having a knowledge of history, geography, music, drama, art, technical subjects helps create well rounded young people rather than little work bots. Not to mention the ability to think critically, plan, be creative, problem solve that these subjects bring.

TikTok and endless scrolling is more attractive than school, IMHO. Unlimited smartphone access and parents who are afraid of their own kids are too blame here.

And the prize for ignorance goes too....

You don’t speak for the majority any more than she does?

The pandemic was a catalyst for today’s attendance issues, it essentially broke the unwritten contract between families and schools but if you dig a little deeper this is a complex issue with many other facets.

Bullying.
Highly pressured, academic curriculum.
Underfunding.
Stressed out teachers.
Out of date system and curriculum.
Draconian rules.
Lack of support for SEND pupils.
Lack of SEND schools.

Add in social issues such as cost of living crisis and poverty, which lead to health issues, which leads to transport issues or things like caregiving issues, mental health issues and lack of motivation etc.

Then she should have said "for some kids Tiktok and mindless scrolling is more appealing but I appreciate that's not what's going on in all cases".

I dunno. I would guess that if you could peep into the homes of the school avoiders, 90 odd percent of them would be mindlessly scrolling all day everyday.

How ignorant you are.

Go say that sweeping statement to the parents on the ongoing EBSA thread on here…

and you'd be wrong in that guess.

Yes , we can tell that you “dunno”.

I had a look. Seems to be mainly baking.

One part of the puzzle could be that people realized its ok to miss a week of school when ill.

It's weak parenting!