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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Richard Adams Education editor

Schools in England and Wales use dogs and prize draws to lure absent pupils back

a labradoodle on a table surrounded by a woman and pupils in uniform
Teddy the therapy dog with Nadia Yassien and pupils from Mary Immaculate high school in Wales. Photograph: Adrian Sherratt/The Guardian

Schools are turning to innovative techniques to entice children back into the classroom, as school leaders warn that high levels of absence will become “generational” unless urgently tackled.

Therapy dogs, prize vouchers, wellness sessions, taxi rides and shepherd’s huts are being put to use by schools in England and Wales seeking to draw “anxious avoiders” to regularly attend.

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