New horizons for children and families

None of us need reminding of the importance of early childhood experiences in relation to physical, intellectual, and emotional development. However, it is just as essential to promote healthy...

If that is a quick roll-out what hope do we have?

‘NHS mental health teams are currently in contact with record numbers of children and young people, and since fast-tracking the introduction of these MHSTs, it's brilliant that we can confirm that...

Tackling absence is not a quick fix

Persistent school absence has serious and long-term consequences on children and young people. The latest data (Department for Education [DfE], 2024) shows a 20.5% persistent absence rate.

While we wait for change, this is our role…

The latest statistics from the NHS tell us that 20.3% of 8 to 16-year-olds have a probable mental health condition–up from 12.1% in 2017 when this research was first carried out.

The growing shadow of poverty and crisis

With another new school year comes more evidence of families being pushed to the brink and the impact on students in our schools.

School attendance is everyone's business

Attendance is everyone's business and, as a new school year begins, it must be our priority. Pupil absence remains a key challenge for schools post-COVID. The figures for persistent absence are, quite...

A government's shame as pupils go hungry

With food inflation expected to hit 17% early next year (Nabarro, 2022) there is a sense of foreboding looming over schools at what they will witness in the coming months.

Fear of the future: A public health risk