📉 School attendance is back in the headlines, but what stories are still going untold? As students return this week, the Department for Education is urging families to ensure high attendance, citing persistent absence as a key priority. But here's the reality we see every day: Pupils with an EHCP are nearly six times more likely to be persistently absent than their peers. Almost 50% of pupils with SEND support were persistently absent last year. One in five pupils with an EHCP missed more school than they attended last year. For the students we support at Love2Learn Education, the answer isn’t “just get them back into school.” Some are on roll but not able to attend. We work with their schools to provide temporary or longer-term packages; tuition at home; hybrid reintegration support; or carefully scaffolded online learning, until the right provision can be secured. Others have EOTAS packages in place because there is no school currently able to meet their needs. That decision isn’t made lightly. It often follows years of struggle, tribunal hearings, and professional evidence that a bespoke solution is the only viable one. But here’s the part the headlines don’t show: There are many more children in similar situations who aren’t getting this level of support. Their families may not have the resources to fight for an EOTAS package. Their schools and LAs may be overstretched. These children are out of sight - and out of options. So instead of simply urging parents to “get children back in,” perhaps we should be asking: What barriers to attendance exist in our current system? What support do schools need to re-engage students safely and meaningfully? What stories aren't being heard? We’d love to hear from teachers, school leaders, and SEND professionals. What has helped your students with persistent absence? What more do you wish was available? Let’s talk about what’s really needed. https://lnkd.in/ensa8Sdh
