Children with mild anxiety better off in school, says Chris Whitty

Headteachers say anxiety is one of the key reasons behind increased pupil absence. Photograph: David Jones/PA

Children with mild and moderate anxiety are likely to be better off attending school because long periods of absence can make symptoms worse, the chief medical officer for England has said.

Amid mounting concern in government about the crisis in pupil attendance since Covid, Prof Chris Whitty has written to schools to reassure parents that anxiety can be a normal part of growing up and that being in lessons can help.