The School Absences Crisis – Kelsey's Story

Available for over a year

The number of children missing a lot of their school lessons has, for some, become one of the most worrying legacies of the disruption and lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic. Twice as many pupils as before the pandemic began are missing at least one out of ten lessons. MPs are now calling for bigger, bolder action to turn this around. A limited number of areas have tried an intensive support scheme for families as part of a government trial - but some schools have already started doing it themselves. For 5 Minutes On, the BBC's Education Editor Branwen Jeffreys spent two days with Turner schools in Folkstone where absence is higher than average. She met Kelsey, who is mum to primary school pupils Leo and Roxanne. After they were evicted and had to move, she struggled to get them to school - but with extra help she's been able make sure they don't miss out on their education.