Child's 'harrowing' struggle to fit in at school

A mother has described the experience of her autistic child struggling to attend school and fit in as "really harrowing".

The number of pupils in Oxfordshire missing more than half of school has risen sharply, with one in every 38 children now classed as "severely" absent.

The number of so-called "ghost children" – those missing more than 50% of school – has increased more than five-fold in the county over the past decade, from 427 in 2015/16 to 2,305 in 2023/24.

The Department for Education said the "government inherited a broken system" but that it was "determined to turn the tide on poor attendance".

Lauren, not her real name, said her child's anxiety around school became so severe they once told her they "didn't want to live any more".

She said her child found it "very difficult to do anything normal... most of the time they spend half an hour in school each day".

Sometimes Lauren would wait with her child at school for up to two hours.

"You can tell they can't cope with being there," she said.

"Am I imagining these things? Am I a bad parent? You question all those things when, deep down, you know your child and you know they're unhappy".

"The frustration of them not having those opportunities to fit into a normal education system is really harrowing."

There can be many reasons for school absence including long term physical illness, or mental health issues, such as stress or anxiety.

The rise in the number of children with a diagnosis of special educational needs and disability (SEND) was also creating a problem for schools, which often do not have the resources to support them.

The Oxford-based charity Ark-T run therapeutic sessions at Orchard Meadow Primary in Blackbird Leys, where small groups of children work on art-based projects in a quiet, protected environment.

Head teacher Heather Richards said missing school could become a "vicious circle" but that the sessions had led to "real improvement" in attendance figures.

"They have a stronger connection with some of the children in their year group," she added. "They also build their confidence."

Lauren's child attends an online version of the sessions and said they "literally leap" to go to attend.

"Even if they're having a really bad week, they'll go to that session and they'll come out really buoyant and happy," she said.

In a statement, the Department for Education said; "The government inherited a broken system, with children and families facing poor outcomes and barriers to opportunity.

"The case for tackling the epidemic of school absence could not be clearer: improved grades, higher wages, better life chances.

"Tackling this issue is everyone's responsibility – government, schools, parents, and children – and we need a national effort to get our kids back in the classroom.

"As part of our plan for change, we are determined to turn the tide on poor attendance and break down barriers to opportunity - whether it's through attendance mentors, free breakfast clubs, improved mental health support, additional investment in family support, or more focus from Ofsted."

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.