The power of physical activity in combating school absences

In the face of rising concerns over persistently absent pupils, a recent report from the BBC on the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has highlighted the need for increased physical activity in schools and investment in youth clubs to address this issue. With more than one in five children in England regularly missing school, the report emphasises the importance of engaging parents and introducing measures to rebuild the trust between schools and families. As a company committed to combatting physical inactivity, we recognise the profound impact of being active in school on pupil engagement and overall well-being.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, just over one in 10 pupils were persistently absent. However, the latest data from the 2022-23 academic year reveals a concerning spike, with 22.3% of pupils in England being persistently absent – a significant increase from pre-pandemic levels. The CSJ report sheds light on the fractured relationship between schools and parents, attributing this breakdown to the disruptive impact of lockdowns on the education system.

The CSJ report underscores the importance of physical activity in addressing the attendance crisis. It advocates for a "right to sport," urging a policy to ensure every child can access at least five hours of extracurricular activities per week. 

The CSJ recommendations for positive change:

1. Engaging Parents: The CSJ report emphasises the need for multiple solutions, primarily centred around more meaningful engagement with parents. Schools could develop initiatives with parents, using physical activity programmes to strengthen parent-school partnerships.
2. "Right to Sport": We support the call for a "right to sport" to be introduced, ensuring every child has access to at least five hours of extracurricular activities per week. 
3. Mental Health Support: Recognising the impact of mental health on attendance, we echo the recommendation to expand mental health support to cover every school. 
4. Government-Funded Mentoring: We welcome the proposed rapid expansion of government-funded mentoring projects, particularly those focused on attendance mentors, ensuring that families receive the assistance they need to overcome barriers to regular attendance.

The Youth Sports Trust have also announced that they are launching a new manifesto for change, which makes five key recommendations to create a nation of active and good schools, ensuring every child has an active start in life and can find a sense of belonging in school.  

Positive changes can be made by prioritising physical activity, fostering collaboration between schools and parents, and expanding support services.