Parents have hit out at an “offensive” work sheet at a Liverpool school that claims young people who skip lessons are more likely to have 'early sex.'
A document, seen by the ECHO, handed out to students in isolation at Dixons Academy, Fazakerley, states that “young people who truant are more likely to use alcohol or drugs.” The sheet handed out to learners also said those who skip school are more likely to get involved in anti-social behaviour and as a result “more likely to become young parents.”
The statements are among 10 made on a worksheet given to children who are held in the academy’s isolation unit known as Mountain Support. The document asks the students to identify which of the list are true, including “young people who regularly skip school are more likely to have early sex”.
READ MORE: Day of disruption on Merseyrail following track fire and cancellations
It added: “Young people who truant or get involved in crime or anti-social behaviour can seriously harm their future education and chances of getting a job.” The sheet claims all 10 statements are true and “if you truant, you put yourself at risk.
“However your behaviour also impacts others around you including your family, your friends, teachers and staff at school and others in the community.” One mum, whose son was handed the worksheet, said she found the document ludicrous.
She said: “When he should have been in class instead of learning he was asked to reflect on these issues. Apparently if you truant then you are more likely to have sex or have no friends in your life.
“This is ludicrous. I particularly take offence to the comment about young parents, a lot of the kids in that school come from so-called young parents, they are massively stereotyping the local community as well as stigmatising being a young parent as bad as associated with bad behaviour in school.
“Not only is it offensive but completely wrong.” Parents are said to be “at the end of their tether” with the school in search of answers around the document.
One added: “Our biggest concern is the lack of work provided while in so-called isolation. The kids should be learning whether in isolation for punishment or not, how can the kids go back to class not knowing what work has been missed?
“In any event this particular sheet of paper is alarming.” A spokesperson for Dixons Academy defended the document and said the school was making students aware of issues “so that they are better prepared to make decisions around keeping themselves safe.”
In a statement, the spokesperson said: “Safeguarding all of our school community is our main priority, part of ensuring that children are kept safe is to help them to be aware of the risks they could face in the wider world. We work with students to make sure they understand these risks so that they can make better decisions.
“One area of concern are the risks that children who truant could face while being absent from school. Children who truant are more at risk of a range of issues including lower educational outcomes, sexual exploitation, involvement in criminality and other risk-taking behaviours.
“We make students aware of these issues so that they are better prepared to make decisions around keeping themselves safe. We want students to be educated in a safe learning environment that prepares them for later life and not be left at risk.”
