Updated:
November 4, 2024
Written By:
Liz Robson
Persistent absence refers to prolonged or frequent absences from school, typically defined as missing at least 10% of scheduled school days in a given academic year. This type of absence can have serious consequences for students, including falling behind academically and disengaging from the learning process. In fact, research has shown that persistent absence is a strong predictor of lower academic achievement and other negative outcomes later in life.
We also know having high connectedness to school and high levels of social connection with peers gained while at school help prevent the onset of mental health problems.
Reducing persistent absence is essential not only to prevent the loss of learning but also to protect against the onset of mental health problems.
One effective way to address persistent absence is through student coaching. Student coaching involves working one-on-one with students to identify and overcome barriers to attendance, as well as providing support and resources to help them stay on track with their education.
Persistent absence from school is a serious issue that affects many students around the world. In the UK persistent absence statistics are alarming and increasing, with over 400,000 students identified as "persistently absent" in the 2019-2020 academic year and in the 2021-2022 academic year the number of students reached over 500,000.
Persistent absence in many cases is caused by school refusal or emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA). There are various factors that may contribute to persistent absence from school, such as personal or family health issues, financial problems, mental health concerns, bullying, lack of motivation or engagement with school work, and negative peer influences. These factors can often overlap and create a complex web of challenges for students to navigate.
It is important for schools and educators to understand the root causes of persistent absence in order to effectively address them. By identifying these underlying factors, schools can provide targeted support and provide solutions that support students to engage with school.
The terminology around this issue of persistent absence has evolved. While "school refusal" is still commonly used, professionals prefer terms like Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) to more accurately describe the emotional challenges involved. Understanding the terminology is crucial for discussing effective interventions.
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) or Emotionally Based Non-Attendance, is a rising concern for educators and parents alike. It’s a complex issue, with roots in emotional and psychological challenges, and can have profound impacts on a young person's education and wellbeing.
This blog post explores how coaching can be used as a targeted approach to preventing EBSA offering insights and strategies for headteachers, parents, educators, and school counsellors to help their students access and engage in school.
EBSA, Educational-Based School Avoidance, is not just about skipping lessons or constantly being absent from school. It extends to avoiding certain classes or even segments of the school day that the student finds challenging. Even though students might be within the school premises, they could be wandering the corridors or finding hiding spots to miss out on particular parts of the school day where they encounter difficulties.
However, let's be clear; school avoidance extends beyond mere truancy. It's a significant concern encompassing instances where a child or adolescent finds it hard to attend school due to emotional hurdles. Unlike truanting, students experiencing EBSA can be plagued by anxiety or distress at the mere thought of attending. Such behaviour can often signal deeper-rooted troubles or academic pressures.
EBSA can also affect children or young people with special educational needs, for instance, autism or ADHD where the school is a challenging environment for them to be in.
The roots of school avoidance are varied and complex, often tied to emotional and psychological factors. Common causes include:
These factors can interact, creating a cycle of avoidance and increasing emotional distress, making it vital to address these issues comprehensively. Because of the complex and individualised reasons for EBSA a personalised approach needs to be used to meet each students needs.
Coaching can offer a practical personalised solution to supporting students overcome EBSA and re-engage gradually with school.
When a student is persistently absent from school, their entire support system must come together to help them navigate their challenges. One key approach that has proven effective in addressing persistent absence is student coaching. Coaching can provide an effective way of providing targeted early intervention as part of a whole-school approach to mental health.
Student coaches work closely with students who experience barriers to attending school. They provide one-on-one support and help develop a practical student-led action plan that helps them identify the psychological and practical barriers that cause avoidance.
Additionally, coaches also collaborate with parents, teachers, school leaders and other professionals involved in the student's life to create a holistic approach to supporting the student.
Coaching has emerged as an effective approach for addressing persistent absence from school. It involves building a positive and supportive relationship with the student, helping them overcome their emotional barriers and develop strategies for managing their attendance.
Coaches work closely with students to identify the root causes of their school avoidance and help them build coping mechanisms. They also collaborate with teachers and parents to create a supportive environment and practical action plans that encourage regular attendance.
Through coaching, students are empowered to take ownership. Some specific reasons why coaching is effective for addressing persistent absence include:
For children with special educational needs (SEN), school refusal can be particularly challenging. These students might face additional barriers, such as sensory sensitivities or communication difficulties, which exacerbate their avoidance behaviour. Coaches supporting SEN students with EBSA must have a deep understanding of the student's needs and make appropriate accommodations to support them fully.
Coaches can work alongside SEN coordinators, parents, and teachers to identify specific triggers or challenges that contribute to avoidance behaviour. They can then develop tailored strategies and action plans that address these barriers, allowing for a smoother transition back into regular attendance at school, in addition to the strategies listed above these also include
Understanding the intersection between ESBA and SEN enables more effective intervention strategies, ensuring that all students receive the support they need.
Coaching helps reduce the emotional barriers that contribute to school avoidance by fostering self-awareness and resilience: during coaching programmes, students will develop a range of skills and strategies. These include
Through consistent support, students build confidence in their ability to manage their emotions and engage with the school environment. These emotional benefits are crucial for students to overcome the barriers preventing them from attending school regularly.
Coaching offers a dynamic and effective approach to addressing school refusal, providing students with the tools they need to overcome emotional barriers and re-engage with their education. To explore the benefits of coaching further, we invite you to try out our FREE Introduction to Coaching Young People Course. This course will give you insight into how coaching works and how it can be integrated into your support strategies.
If you're ready to deepen your understanding and gain a comprehensive toolkit of resources, consider joining our Coach Training Course. This programme is designed to equip educators, youth workers and counsellors with the skills to effectively support young people in overcoming school refusal and other challenges.
Together, we can enhance the educational experience for all students, ensuring that they have the support and resources necessary to thrive both academically and emotionally.
LAST UPDATED:
November 4, 2024
Persistent absence caused by EBSA is growing. Coaching can be an effective solution in reducing school avoidance and improving attendance.
LAST UPDATED:
October 17, 2024
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