Schools in the Bridgend borough area have seen a drop in pupil attendance this year. An increase in permanent and fixed-term exclusions has also been recorded – with pupil behaviour becoming an increasing concern for schools and for the local authority.
A report heard by a Bridgend County Borough Council scrutiny committee this month was given to councillors to explain how the education and family support directorate is responding to issues related to pupil attendance, exclusions, and health and safeguarding. It described how, following the Covid-19 pandemic, this school year had been the first for more than two academic years where schools in the borough had remained open for the entirety of the year.
It also showed figures that indicated the attendance rate for secondary schools in the borough had dropped to 86.5% in the 2021-22 school year, down from 94.1% in 2018-19. In primary education a similar drop had occurred with figures showing a 90.1% attendance rate in 2021-22 compared to that of a 94.8% in 2018-19.
Read more: Appropriation of land at Sandy Bay and Griffin Park approved in Porthcawl
This means the school attendance levels across primary schools in Bridgend had reduced by 4.7 percentage points in 2021-22 compared to numbers in 2018-2019 whereas secondary schools had seen a more significant reduction of 7.6 percentage points in the same period. A section of the report, presented to councillors on October 10, said while these reductions were concerning it reflected a national position which had clearly been influenced by the pandemic.
It read: "School attendance has always been a high priority in Bridgend. However, during the pandemic, we have seen a reduction in attendance levels. A large number of pupils have been affected by the pandemic due to lack of routine impacted by school closures and remote learning. Many pupils have also presented with anxiety and wellbeing issues. Addressing these issues is key in ensuring pupils reach their full potential in all aspects of life, including achieving a good education."
It was noted that this year's figures may be subject to change following validation in the new school year, with data from 2019-20 and 2020-21 unavailable for comparison due to the pandemic. The report also discussed how there was an increase in permanent and fixed-term exclusions during this period with behaviours for concern being recorded such as those with verbal and physical aggression.
It read: "Pupil behaviour is becoming an increasing concern for schools and for the local authority. There is evidence that behaviour is becoming more problematic leading to increases in both fixed-term and permanent exclusions. The behaviours being witnessed within schools are predominately increases in verbal and physical aggression towards adults and other children along with persistent and disruptive behaviour." You can read more of our stories from Bridgend here.
READ NEXT:
Man keeps crowbar and chainsaw handy because people keep crashing outside his countryside house
Warrior princess' athlete killed in crash while riding her bike
Mark Drakeford absolutely blows his top when questioned about the Welsh NHS
Liz Truss told she needs to go as MP Jamie Wallis releases open letter telling her to stand down
