Some children in Wales have never returned to school since classrooms shut at the start of the pandemic almost two years ago.
The disturbing finding from school inspectorate Estyn comes as latest official data shows more than one in 10 children are still missing school.
At the same time headteachers say there is a rise in child protection referrals and secondary staff have reported an increase in reports of domestic abuse.
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School inspections remain halted by the pandemic but Estyn has been keeping in touch with schools and pupil referral units with “engagement” phone calls and visits.
In a report on the latest findings from these contacts Estyn highlights the many challenges that remain, including children who have never returned to school.
Inspectors visited or phoned 235 secondary schools, primaries and pupil referral units in the autumn term of 2021. They were told some children had not been back since March 2020.
“In the majority of schools, a very few pupils still have not returned to face to face learning since the start of the first lockdown. This is mainly due to emotional or mental health issues,” the report noted.
It added that a few leaders reported an increase in referrals to outside agencies due to concerns around pupil behaviour and attendance.
“Nearly all schools reported an increase in child protection referrals over time and that they are still making as many referrals as they did on return to school following the first national lockdown.
“Secondary school staff also reported an increase in reports of domestic abuse. Across nearly all schools, a few families have significant challenges and are receiving regular support from wellbeing staff as well as from external agencies.”
Numbers of pupils eligible for free school meals had also risen and “substantially” so in some schools.
“This greater level of deprivation has led to an increased need for schools to amend their provision to support pupils’ wellbeing and learning.”
Well being among staff and pupils was also an issue. Most schools reported providing more support and interventions than before the pandemic.
“For a few pupils who were a cause for concern prior to the onset of Covid-19, the pandemic has exacerbated issues. In most cases, school leaders recognised that pupils who did not engage well with learning prior to the start of the pandemic continued to be a cause for concern,” the report goes on.
“A few pupils in special schools and PRUs have struggled to reintegrate and conform successfully to expectations and routines. This appears to reflect the increasing social, emotional and behavioural needs that staff are currently addressing.”
Some secondary schools said they were concerned about their oldest pupils, particularly those in Year 13 facing external exams for the first time.
Schools reported they are “less independent and resilient than pupils from previous years. Generally, they have weaker revision skills and techniques and are showing signs of anxiety”.
Anxiety among staff working through the pandemic had also risen.
Estyn said:“Nearly all leaders told us that staff anxiety and stress has continued to be a cause for concern.
“Many said that increased staff absences due to pandemic related illness or stress has been one of the biggest issues when trying to keep schools open. Leaders have found it increasingly difficult to find cover for members of staff who are absent.”
Schools told the inspectorate that staff have gone “above and beyond what would usually be expected of them during the pandemic” but nearly all leaders said last term was “very challenging” due to the rapid changes in Covid guidance and making the adjustments needed.
“Nearly all stated that they and their staff felt very tired and, at times, overwhelmed during the term,” the report added.
On a more positive note schools reported good engagement from many pupils since the start of the new academic year. Behaviour and attitudes to learning is good among "many pupils" and they are enjoying being back and socialising with friends.
Nearly all school leaders told inspectors that they now have a better understanding of the needs and circumstances of their pupils' families and that had improved relations between school and home.
Estyn's report, Summary of engagement calls and visits to schools and PRUs Autumn 2021 was based on phone calls to 79 primaries, 20 secondaries, two all-age schools, two special schools and two pupil referral units. In addition inspectors took findings from visits to 38 primaries, 57 secondaries, six special schools, one PRU and 28 schools and PRUs in its follow up category. Findings were based on visits to classrooms and discussions with school leaders,teachers, and pupils, either remotely or in person.
One in four A level students are absent from school
Latest figures from the Welsh Government published on February 9 show a very slight week on week rise in school attendance. But there are variations among year groups. Only 76% of year 13s are in and only 85% of year 11 GCSE pupils.
Official data shows:
- An average of 87.1% of all pupils were in attendance in school over the week of 31 January to 4 February 2022, up from 85% the week before. The figure for 24 January to 28 January 2022 has been revised down from 85.4%. Data is provisional.
- 4.3% of pupils were absent due to a known Covid related reason over the week of 31 January to 4 February 2022, down from 5.7% the previous week.
- An average of 4.9% of all primary pupils and 3.5% of all secondary pupils were absent due to a known Covid related reason between 31 January and 4 February 2022.
- Slightly more boys than girls are attending school. This is different compared to pre-pandemic data where boys have had lower attendance rates.
- Amongst statutory school age pupils over the week of 31 January to 4 February 2022, the percentage of pupils in attendance was highest for pupils in Year 1 (89.0%) and lowest for pupils in Year 11 (85.8%).
Absence rate by school year group
Reception - 88.8%
Year 1 - 89%
Year 2 - 88.8%
Year 3 - 88.5%
Year 4 - 88.1%
Year 5 - 87.6%
Year 6 - 87.5%
Year 7 - 87.5%
Year 8 - 86.6%
Year 9 - 86.3%
Year 10 - 86.5%
Year 11 - 85.8%
Year 12 - 83.6%
Year 13- 76.8%
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