Health crisis, Cost Of Living crisis, pupils most likely to be absent include those on Free School Meals and with special educational needs. Are they being catered for . Covid itself, illness, teachers� strike, retention, fewer after school activities, not enough school meals, not a broad enough scope for the School Meal Programme and those changed attitudes, parental responsibilities, that has got to be in there somewhere. People are saying term time holidays now are saying term time holidays now are socially acceptable and cheaper. Parents, do you struggle to get your child to school. How difficult can it be . Are you supported . Are you judged . School absences, it be . Are you supported . Are you judged . Schoolabsences, let� s talk about this judged . School absences, let� s talk about this for the judged . Schoolabsences, let� s talk about this for the next hour. From campbell to campbell, here is Deena Campbell with the news. Thanks, nicky. Mps say ministers should review support for families to help improve School Attendance across england. The Commons Education Committee found twice as many pupils have been missing a significant amount of school than before the pandemic. The first room in the uk for addicts to take Illegal Drugs under supervision is expected to be approved today in glasgow. Ministers at holyrood hope it will reduce drug related deaths in scotland which remain high. Working people say they� re using credit cards to top up Energy Meters due to the pressure of high bills. The Charity Citizens Advice says it� s provided record levels of Crisis Support this year to people struggling with the rising Cost Of Living. The government insists it is giving financial help to those who need it. Approval has been granted to develop one of the largest untapped oil and gas fields off shetland. The area is expected to produce 300 Million Barrels of oil. Environmental campaigners had argued the scheme undermined the government� s net zero commitments. There is a new report by the Commons Education Select Committee talking about School Absences, highlighting that Mental Health problems, the Cost Of Living pressures on families are amongst an array of complex reasons, a Postcode Lottery of fines, people are pointing out, what is the point of finding parents or guardians when financial problems are at the heart of the problem in the first place . It is interesting to know and quite enlightening, or good to remind ourselves what the government says about this on the government says about this on the government website. When your child can miss school you can only allow your child to miss school if either they are too ill to go in, they have permission from the school, permission from the school, permission from the head teacher if you want to take your child out of school or during term time, you can only do this if you make an application to the head teacher in advance, there are exceptional circumstances, it is up to the head teacher how many days your child can be away from school if leave is granted. You can be fined for taking your child on holiday during term time without the school� s permission and can be fined as well for persistent absence. Branwen persistent absence. Bra nwen jeffreys, persistent absence. Branwen jeffreys, the bbc� s education secretary, darren morgan, head teacher, coming up, and alicia barnett, Policy Adviser from the Youth Education charity impetus, who released a report which found a real crisis point in all this. Welcome to all of you, good morning, thank you for all this. All of you, good morning, thank you forall this. Liz, not your all of you, good morning, thank you for all this. Liz, not your real name, starting with you, what are your views on this massive problem . Massive problem and a personal problem. I have been through school refusal, or as i would term it, School Trauma with two of my children, actually, one quite severely so. It is a massive problem. What covid taught a lot of kids was that they are happier at home, their anxiety, kids was that they are happier at home, theiranxiety, if kids was that they are happier at home, their anxiety, if that is the reason, it is often the reason, their anxiety is easy if they are at home and they don� t have to face the School Environment. So that� s been my experience to have a young person who can� T Go To School. And it is a very isolating place for parents to be because you just assume your kids will go to school. I went to school, i am well educated, my child couldn� T Go To School, can� T Go To School, and it� s not because i am a lenient parent, that children, it� s not the way they were raised, it is just too hard to go there. I think we have a system where there is no wriggle room for young people like that. We try very hard to keep them on the trajectory of Everybody Else and that� s the trajectory towards gcses in the first place, and if they can� t stay on that trajectory, there is very little option but for them to say enough is enough and i can� t go on any more. What them to say enough is enough and i cant go on any more. Cant go on any more. What is it about the cant go on any more. What is it about the school cant go on any more. What is it about the School Environment i cant go on any more. What is it i about the School Environment that means that, i think it is your daughter, can� T Go To School . I daughter, canT Go To School . I think part of it is it is a very big and Bustling Environment. The school is huge. That doesn� t suit everybody. It doesn� t suit many adults to work in an environment like that. There is an adaptation for each class that they go in. This teacher expects this, this teacher expects that, there are lots of other kids often who are cruel. There is lots ofjust noise and if you are feeling anxious noise is the worst thing. The School Environment is just very difficult and often it is just very difficult and often it is notjust one thing, often it is a build up and a reduction of resilience through a steady build, this happened that day and often it is bottled up and eventually, like a pressure cooker, they say enough, i can� t do this any more. I think there are lots of issues with the system. We haven� t got, like i said, any wriggle room. There is no place for hybrid learning, or very little place for hybrid learning. For hybrid learning, or very little place for hybrid learning. When did our place for hybrid learning. When did your daughters place for hybrid learning. When did your daughters anxiety place for hybrid learning. When did your daughters anxiety start . Place for hybrid learning. When did your daughters anxiety start . The | your daughter� s anxiety start . The anxiety that supersedes her belief in the ability or her confidence to go to school . I in the ability or her confidence to go to school . Go to school . I think it started, robabl go to school . I think it started, probably if go to school . I think it started, probably if im go to school . I think it started, probably if im honest, go to school . I think it started, probably if im honest, In Go To School . I think it started, probably if im honest, in year. Go to school . I think it started, probably if im honest, in year one. Probably if i� m honest, in year one. But it became very, it reached. Broadcast interrupted by interference. Having gone through year eight when covid hit, year nine was still massively affected by covid, there was a period of, i don� t know if you remember, Covid In School where it was school but it wasn� t Normal School so that reduced resilience for a lot of young people. And so year ten when it came to a head. Losing resilience, losing confidence, how does it make you feel . ,. ,. Confidence, how does it make you feel . ,. , feel . Isolated. It makes me feel isolated. Feel . Isolated. It makes me feel isolated i feel . Isolated. It makes me feel isolated. I was feel . Isolated. It makes me feel isolated. I was in feel . Isolated. It makes me feel isolated. I was in education. Feel . Isolated. It makes me feel isolated. I was in education. It. Feel . Isolated. It makes me feel isolated. Iwas in education. It is isolated. I was in education. It is not something that would have ever entered my horizon as an issue. And so i think often parents can be put at loggerheads with the system and schools are the interface of the system. I don� t blame schools, they are under enormous pressure and they haven� t got the resources to deal with the problem effectively. But it does put you on. I� m not particularly prone to anxiety but it really raises anxiety in parents as well. You know, you are trying to keep your kid on the treadmill that is actually destroying them. So i have found that very hard. I would wake up and think Hoodoo Iphone today . Who is to help me . And help me navigate this system that i can� t stay in the mainstream so what do i do . 3 stay in the mainstream so what do i do . �. ,. , stay in the mainstream so what do i do . A couple of things to pick up on in our conversation, do . A couple of things to pick up on in our conversation, the do . A couple of things to pick up on in our conversation, the hustling in our conversation, the hustling Bustling Environment, totally get that, remembering a hustling and Bustling Environment from our own school days, Madejust Bustling Environment from our own school days, made just not be suited to some people. And also the educational treadmill that you talked about. Liz, don� t go too far away, i� m going to come to Ayesha Baloch in a second but i want to bring claire in northamptonshire in first off. What do you think about what liz, not her real name, has said . Does anything their echo with you in your own experience . Crikey, so much of you in your own experience . Crikey, so much of it you in your own experience . Crikey, so much of it. The you in your own experience . Crikey, so much of it. The idea you in your own experience . Crikey, so much of it. The idea of you in your own experience . Crikey, so much of it. The idea of this so much of it. The idea of this treadmill that carries on even if your children can� t attend school. The big bustling schools, and there really is no educational choice in northamptonshire. There is one Big Comprehensive Secondary School with hundreds of children and there are 240 children in my daughter� s year and there is no escape from it and it� s an environment that isn� t suitable for everybody, but equally, there is no choice, what else do you do . My own daughter� s struggle started, i have to say, at the age of seven or eight when i started to notice how anxious she was and it was affecting her mental well being. At that time we moved schools because i was concerned about her and the Primary School she was at didn� t share those concerns. They said she was shy, it is ok, she will kind of grow out of it type of thing. At home i had a child that was a shell of her former self, she didn� t sing or dance around the house any more and just didn� t want to engage with anything, didn� t want to engage with anything, didn� t want to do anything. So we changed schools, a lovely small, nurturing schools, a lovely small, nurturing school for girls. And then there was no choice, Senior School to find something that replicated that setting. So back in she went into a school that i know now was wholly unsuitable for her but it is what she wanted. I unsuitable for her but it is what she wanted unsuitable for her but it is what she wanted. ,. , she wanted. I missed that, highly what . Highly she wanted. I missed that, highly what . Highly unsuitable. She wanted. I missed that, highly what . Highly unsuitable. But she wanted. I missed that, highly what . Highly unsuitable. But we | she wanted. I missed that, highly what . Highly unsuitable. But we went with that. What . Highly unsuitable. But we went with that im what . Highly unsuitable. But we went with that. Im going what . Highly unsuitable. But we went with that. Im going to what . Highly unsuitable. But we went with that. Im going to bring what . Highly unsuitable. But we went with that. Im going to bring becky with that. Im going to bring becky in as well but with that. Im going to bring becky in as well but we with that. Im going to bring becky in as well but we have with that. Im going to bring becky in as well but we have momentum j with that. Im going to bring becky in as well but we have momentum with callers, and i promise you, Ayesha Baloch, likewise darren, and likewise bronwen, you are on in a second, but it really is quite extraordinary some of the things we are hearing, unsurprising to many branwen. Becky, good morning. {30 branwen. Becky, good morning. er . Ahead. I have a child who started school in reception, struggled to get him in to any education, nobody really knew what to do with him. He spent a little bit of time out of school while we decided where to go with him and he was put in another provision that was a bit more clued up provision that was a bit more clued up on him and we got an ehcp and he did all rightand up on him and we got an ehcp and he did all right and then ended up out of school after covid and we couldn� t get him in. We were told to keep dragging him kicking and screaming until he got the idea that he had to attend school. We went along with that a little bit to start with but when he was kicking the seven bells out of me and my car, the school staff, the Double Glazing door is falling apart, we decided actually this needs to stop and this isn� t fair on anybody but nobody seemed to know what to do with him. We went to camhs, is it suicidal . No, i� m sorry, we can� t do anything. Well, iwill suicidal . No, i� m sorry, we can� t do anything. Well, i will be soon if somebody doesn� t help us. That wasn� t good enough. We went to social services and they struggled to unpick what the issue was. The issue was his unmet needs in school and trying to unpick that but nobody seemed bothered. The school rang me every two weeks to check in, just to tick a box that we had a child missing from education. Becky, this is just awful. Sorry to missing from education. Becky, this isjust awful. Sorry to take missing from education. Becky, this isjust awful. Sorry to take you is just awful. Sorry to take you back, but a run me by thatjourney to school, that violence, that kicking out . He to school, that violence, that kicking out . To school, that violence, that kicking out . To school, that violence, that kickin out . ,. , , kicking out . He would literally kick m clove kicking out . He would literally kick my glove box. Kicking out . He would literally kick my glove box. My kicking out . He would literally kick my glove box, my car kicking out . He would literally kick my glove box, my car door, kicking out . He would literally kick my glove box, my car door, and i kicking out . He would literally kick. My glove box, my car door, and had tried to talk to him and distract him and so school is a safe place and we are going to do this today. And then i would get to the car, get to school, i� d have to try and put his bag on my back, i� d have to carry his shoes and glasses because they were something that got lost on they were something that got lost on the way and school staff were not allowed to help me, until he got through that school door he was my problem. You can imagine trying to get across a car park under a security barrier, or down some steps with some she was flying, pair of glasses and a bag and i was getting smacked. He wasn� t a violent child, well, it was like it wasn� t him, it was like a flight or fight response and school were trying to restrain him and it would take two of them to grab an arm and a lego piece and going through the door and then they would take him into a sensory padded, room, a sensory room and you could hear the window literally getting pushed out. I used to stand outside and think do i go back for him . Do i go home . What do i do . Trust the people in school. So we went along with it for a bit and then ijust thought went along with it for a bit and then i just thought whose best interests is this in . Tick a box to say he� s been to school . Once we stopped that the local authority were not really helping us and they said if you don� t get him to school we will find you. I had to start thinking out of the can we do so we went to the gp who wasn� t happy about it but he did do a letter to say he is highly anxious and cannot attend school. That seemed to stop people bothering me then about his attendance. That people bothering me then about his attendance. , people bothering me then about his attendance. , people bothering me then about his attendance. ,. ,. , attendance. That gave me a bit of time. A attendance. That gave me a bit of time a bit attendance. That gave me a bit of time. A bit of attendance. That gave me a bit of time. A bit of space attendance. That gave me a bit of time. A bit of space and attendance. That gave me a bit of time. A bit of space and time. Attendance. That gave me a bit of. Time. A bit of space and time. How old is he now . He time. A bit of space and time. How old is he now . Time. A bit of space and time. How old is he now . This time. A bit of space and time. How old is he now . This was i time. A bit of space and time. How old is he now . This was a | old is he now . He is 11. This was a nine years old is he now . He is 11. This was a nine years old old is he now . He is 11. This was a nine years old kind old is he now . He is 11. This was a nine years old kind of old is he now . He is 11. This was a nine years old kind of thing. Old is he now . He is 11. This was a nine years old kind of thing. 0k. L nine years old kind of thing. Ok. Where does the anger and resistance to going in come from . How did it start . �. To going in come from . How did it start . � ,. ,. , to going in come from . How did it start . ,. ,. , start . Hes always been an anxious child, he start . Hes always been an anxious child. He is start . Hes always been an anxious child. He is a start . Hes always been an anxious child, he is a child start . Hes always been an anxious child, he is a child who start . Hes always been an anxious child, he is a child who has start . Hes always been an anxious child, he is a child who has been i child, he is a child who has been through the care system. I had a husband who we adopted him together, i am his number one safe person, to take me out of the equation and fight and flight kicks in. We have always had to manage him carefully. There was an unmet need in school. He just there was an unmet need in school. Hejust didn� t there was an unmet need in school. He just didn� t feel safe in that setting in that school. Afterwards we found out why, part of that manhandling was part of it, they were doing it quite regular to him when he became upset. But on picking it, it is hard to unpick an unmet need. He is in another school now that i understand him and he is doing really well and his attendance is 100 . There is a reason why they don� t want to go and it is trying to have people that understand Mental Health issues, autism, trauma and on picking these unmet needs. In this case we do kind of blame the school but i am a governor in another school, and people need training and understanding in it and it� s not just a School Letting people down, to services around it, early help thatis to services around it, early help that is a service to local authorities, camhs, a collective group could all get together and help children which would help. But doors are always, not to do with us, we can� t help you, it is not ours, and you end up with nobody, it ends up and you end up with nobody, it ends upjust being ringing people and ringing people and chasing. But not every parent can do what i� ve done. Some people give up and keep them at home. I still work full time but i know many people who have given up theirjobs because they cannot have a child at home. I have taken my child to work with me, i� ve been quite fortunate in that way but not everybody is lucky. My Mental Health is good but not everybody� s parents are, so we were the lucky ones in one way but not everybody is as fortunate as what we are. That is such interesting fortunate as what we are. That is such interesting important fortunate as what we are. That is i such interesting important context. Early help is social Services School intervention focused on families in need, or early help. Becky and claire, thank you so much, and liz, too, not real name. Ayesha baloch, what we have just heard is illustrative of how complex this is. Hello, nicky. You� re absolutely right. Thank you to the call for sharing that, some really harrowing stories there. I think they all illustrated the kind of Mental Health epidemic that is really clear and very prevalent amongst young people today. That is one of the findings from our report that came out last week about the reasons for why persistent absence has become such a crisis in this country. One of the findings was that Mental Health is a growing problem, i think post covid especially command a social services around, as becky mentioned, arejust not mentioned, are just not well equipped mentioned, arejust not well equipped enough, not well funded enough to assist the schools in dealing with it. I think quite often schools become the first and last point for parents and they don� t necessarily have the expertise or the funding to be able to deal with some of the problem is that parents are facing. With their children and Mental Health. What did lockdown due to our children . I can� t speakfrom lockdown due to our children . I can� t speak from the perspective of a Mental Health specialist but i assume by being in lockdown and by being in isolation for so long i wouldn� t be surprised if there had been a massive impact on how young people are able to relate to other young people, you know, their socialisation skills, how comfortable they feel in large groups of people, that sort of thing. Groups of people, that sort of thin. �. G , groups of people, that sort of thin. �. G , i,. , thing. Branwen jeffreys, education editor, the commons thing. Branwen jeffreys, education editor, the commons education i thing. Branwen jeffreys, education editor, the Commons Education Select Committee have been speaking about this. What are they saying . Thea;r committee have been speaking about this. What are they saying . This. What are they saying . They are sa in it is this. What are they saying . They are saying it is a this. What are they saying . They are saying it is a crisis this. What are they saying . They are saying it is a crisis in this. What are they saying . They are saying it is a crisis in our this. What are they saying . They are saying it is a crisis in our schools saying it is a crisis in our schools with these hugely varied and complex reasons. Those powerful accounts from those mums tap into what the mps are saying about Mental Health, that what we have had is a massive increase in Mental Health issues amongst children and teenagers, and thatis amongst children and teenagers, and that is being met by a gross inadequacy in services. It is almost impossible to get your child seen by an nhs Mental Health service unless they are in extreme crisis. And of course below that there are lots of children who are dealing with some of the Anxiety Problems that we heard about from ayesha and liz and the attachment issues becky was describing. They should be an end to the Postcode Lottery of fines for parents. It is a hugely varied rate of fines across england depending on where you live. That is just not helpful. We also know that low income is linked to low attendance, so fining families who are in a very low income because they can� t get their kids to school for want of a bus fare, a uniform, the parents� Mental Health, may not be the most constructive way. So they are advocating for the government to really scale up intensive support for parents and families. There are pilots under way that many schools faced with this situation are beginning to do it themselves, and i have seen how that can help families. I� ve spent days in schools recently, and the kind of help that we have for three months we have heard already described, where it is really child focused, it is really family focused, looking at what the issues are for the individual child. That seems to be the thing that makes the most difference. I� m that seems to be the thing that makes the most difference. Im going to come to darren makes the most difference. Im going to come to darren in makes the most difference. Im going to come to darren in a makes the most difference. Im going to come to darren in a second. Makes the most difference. Im going to come to darren in a second. We i to come to darren in a second. We have other cause. But what i would say, and i will do the government statement at the lga statement soon, but branwen, in reading into this this morning i came across an article in the irish times, and it is a copy and paste of the articles in the uk papers. Scotland, same problems there. find in the uk papers. Scotland, same problems there. Problems there. And the united states. What problems there. And the united states. What is problems there. And the united states. What is the problems there. And the united states. What is the common problems there. And the united states. What is the Common Thread . That means states. What is the Common Thread . That means you states. What is the Common Thread . That means you cant states. What is the Common Thread . That means you cant entirely states. What is the Common Thread . That means you cant entirely point l that means you can� t entirely point the finger at our government, or can you . Can you point the finger at all governments . What is at the heart of it . , governments . What is at the heart of it . Schools across the world closed. In fact, it . Schools across the world closed. In fact. Actually. It . Schools across the world closed. In fact, actually, the it . Schools across the world closed. In fact, actually, the only in fact, actually, the only exception possibly famously, was sweden where Primary Schools stayed open throughout and the secondary schools went to a rotation of Distance Learning and kids in school. So it will be interesting to see in the long term what sweden� s experience was. But across the rest of the world everywhere schools closed. Hundreds of millions of children out of school. And i think some of the things people have mentioned already are the key to this. The social and Emotional Development of children, just getting on with other people and being around them, being around that noise, that overwhelming noise and busyness and bustle, and the behaviour of other people, the potential teasing, bullying and cruelty that has been a feature of school life since time began. It is something that schools have to manage. But when children have been away from that and gone back, many of them have seemed to struggle with that. There is that re immersion anxiety, that they discovered that for some children they could learn more easily at home. And a loss of confidence in their learning as well. The danger is as if you miss a lot of school, of course it is harder to go back in. Notjust socially and with any anxieties you have, but actually you will have missed learning. And then you can feel quite frightened, you can come into a loop where you become more anxious. One of the schools i� ve spent time in recently, they have someone who is a troubleshooter who literally will walk kids to class if they are worried about that particular thing, talk to the teacher, check in with them halfway through the lesson, rearrange their timetable, maybe if they have double maths and they are super anxious about maths they might be able to take a five minute break and talk to somebody, for example. Reimmersion, interestin , somebody, for example. Reimmersion, interesting. It somebody, for example. Reimmersion, interesting. It is somebody, for example. Reimmersion, interesting, it is resources somebody, for example. Reimmersion, interesting, it is resources and interesting, it is resources and recruitment and staffing. Re immersion anxiety, that is a really telling phrase. Tracy is in kingston. Good morning, tracy. Leanne, i will be right with you, in suffolk. Tracy, welcome. What can you say about this . I suffolk. Tracy, welcome. What can you say about this . You say about this . I myself have adhd and autism you say about this . I myself have adhd and autism and you say about this . I myself have adhd and autism and i you say about this . I myself have adhd and autism and i have you say about this . I myself have | adhd and autism and i have three children from 10 18 who all at some point have had diagnoses, in particular my son who is 13. He has not been in school, he� s been in three days, they were well aware when he started in year seven that he was waiting for an Autism Diagnosis and that he needed reasonable adjustments but they never came. My boy is very intelligent, he is very well behaved, so because he doesn� t make a fuss he isjust behaved, so because he doesn� t make a fuss he is just completely gone under the radar with no help at all. Anything that we have got from early help has been organised by myself, trying to educate myself and learn what i can do to help my children. But he is now in autistic burnout so most days he doesn� t get dressed, brush his teeth, he couldn� t fix himself a sandwich to eat, he won� t go to the local shop and buy himself some thing is depressed, his self esteem is in the bin and there is no help whatsoever. All of the resources, as you said, have been stretched, or they are not adequate for the needs that my child has. I don� t even know when he is going to be in education again. The local authority, what they have to do is after 15 days they should be providing Alternative Education provision of some sort but my son apparently doesn� t meet the threshold and anything they could access is full. So that� s it. Is threshold and anything they could access is full. So thats it. Access is full. So thats it. Is it . Ok, thank access is full. So thats it. Is it . Ok, thank you access is full. So thats it. Is it . Ok, thank you thats access is full. So thats it. Is it . Ok, thank you thats enough l access is full. So thats it. Is it . 0k, thank you thats enough there is more but 0k, thank you thats enough there is more but i 0k, thank you thats enough there is more but i will 0k, thank you thats enough there is more but i will stop 0k, thank you thats enough there is more but i will stop there is more but i will stop there darren morgan, head teacher at a Primary School in manchester, i want to thank you so much for sitting there and listening. I did intend to come to your early on but we have had an intense response and an extraordinary response, and as you can hear from the responses extraordinary response, and as you can hearfrom the responses it extraordinary response, and as you can hear from the responses it is complex, and also come as you can hearfrom the complex, and also come as you can hear from the responses, complex, and also come as you can hearfrom the responses, people don� t think that there is enough help. I dont think that there is enough hel. ~. Dont think that there is enough hel. ~ ,. , help. I think listening to the different stories, help. I think listening to the different stories, what help. I think listening to the different stories, what is i help. I think listening to the i different stories, what is really powerful to me is their experiences, which can� t be questioned, really, and the experiences, these four examples of them trying to get their children to school just examples of them trying to get their children to schooljust sounded so very, very difficult. The point i want to make it really is i guess it is really difficult for schools as well. ,. ,. , is really difficult for schools as well. ,. Is really difficult for schools as well. I. ,. , is really difficult for schools as well. ,. , well. Do you want to put your headphones well. Do you want to put your headphones back well. Do you want to put your headphones back on, well. Do you want to put your headphones back on, im well. Do you want to put your headphones back on, im beginning to headphones back on, i� m beginning to hit The Beginnings of feedback, if that� s ok. Hit The Beginnings of feedback, if thats ok. , hit The Beginnings of feedback, if thats 0k. No hit The Beginnings of feedback, if thats 0k. No worries, hit The Beginnings of feedback, if that� s ok. 50mg. No worries, carry thats ok. Sorry. No worries, carry on. The thats ok. Sorry. No worries, carry on the point thats ok. Sorry. No worries, carry on the point i thats ok. Sorry. No worries, carry on. The point i want thats ok. Sorry. No worries, carry on. The point i want to thats ok. Sorry. No worries, carry on. The point i want to make thats ok. Sorry. No worries, carry on. The point i want to make is i thats ok. Sorry. No worries, carry| on. The point i want to make is the importance on. The point i want to make is the importance of on. The point i want to make is the importance of shared on. The point i want to make is the | importance of shared understanding and working together. Because i don� t think there is a culture of that. I think the powers that he� s answers to this is reduce the numbers. We havejust had ofsted in my school, in every way it is an outstanding school, but attendance is a challenge for us and it� s been the highest agenda item for us for two years now. I have visited every family on foot to talk to them, to try and understand the reasons. Yet because our numbers aren� t as high as ofsted would want them to be we were graded as good rather than outstanding. I think on the spirit of understanding, understanding the reasons behind each case is different. Each story is different will stop there as a Resource Argument there. Is will stop there as a Resource Argument there. Will stop there as a Resource Araument there. ,. , , argument there. Is there an issue . Resource argument argument there. Is there an issue . Resource argument people argument there. Is there an issue . Resource argument people will Resource Argument people will understand, clearly as branwen said, it is ubiquitous in the western world, sweden is an interesting which we done that has been addressed. Is there an issue, as i� m looking at the text, and i tell you what, we will go to leanne in suffolk. Hello. Iii. What, we will go to leanne in suffolk. Hello. Hi. You are talking suffolk. Hello. Fl. You are talking about holidays, carry on. Suffolk. Hello. Hi. You are talking about holidays, carry on. I suffolk. Hello. Hi. You are talking about holidays, carry on. I am. I. About holidays, carry on. I am. I have four about holidays, carry on. I am. I have four children, about holidays, carry on. I am. I have four children, i about holidays, carry on. I am. I have four children, i have about holidays, carry on. I am. I have four children, i have two i about holidays, carry on. I am. I. Have four children, i have two that have four children, i have two that have gone through high school and one currently in year nine and a two year old about to start the whole process again. And i don� t see where the government to have a right to tax us to take our children on holiday because it is clearly moneymaking, the money doesn� t go back into the school where the child is absent from. And a two week absence to have a family vacation, to have family time, sometimes, not abroad, sometimes that is a walk in the hillside, sometimes that is an experience with the whole family unit. Where does the uk government have a right to dictate to us as parents how we should raise and bring our children up . Pm . Parents how we should raise and bring our children up . Why dont you do that during bring our children up . Why dont you do that during the bring our children up . Why dont you do that during the school bring our children up . Why dont you do that during the School Holidays . I do that during the School Holidays . Cost, we are a large family. You know, to trying to take six of us away, even in the uk, is extortionate. You know, Holiday Companies ramp up the price when it comes to School Holiday time. I� m not prepared to pay those prices. I have had two macro children that have had two macro children that have now left high school, they have done their 11 years at school. I� ve got a son that is about to join the british army as an officer, i have a son about to start an apprenticeship in the working world. They have completely completed their education and we have always had a week or two weeks holiday in school term and it has made absolutely zero effect to their education. You has made absolutely zero effect to their education. Their education. You dont think it is affecting their education. You dont think it is affecting their their education. You dont think it is affecting their education their education. You dont think it is affecting their education at their education. You dont think it is affecting their education at all . No, all of my children have passed their gcse to the government standard and above. So where has one week, two weeks a year out of their School Education affected them . Because my children have passed their exams. My children have continued their education. My children have gone into other situations into the working world and have proven that they are very well rounded, educated children. You don� tjust get well rounded, educated children. You don� t just get educated well rounded, educated children. You don� tjust get educated from being in school. Aha, dontjust get educated from being in school. �. ~. , ~ in school. A walk in the lake district. Darren, in school. A walk in the lake district. Darren, whats in school. A walk in the lake district. Darren, whats the l in school. A walk in the lake district. Darren, whats the problem district. Darren, what� s the problem with what leanne said . It� s district. Darren, whats the problem with what leanne said . With what leanne said . Its the extortionate with what leanne said . Its the extortionate prices with what leanne said . Its the extortionate prices of with what leanne said . Its the extortionate prices of holidays | extortionate prices of holidays during extortionate prices of holidays during term time and that needs to be tackled during term time and that needs to be tackled urgently. I would argue that be tackled urgently. I would argue that. , , that. Say the Holiday Industry has to take another that. Say the Holiday Industry has to take another hit . That. Say the Holiday Industry has to take another hit . Absolutely, i to take another hit . Absolutely, because the to take another hit . Absolutely, because the impact to take another hit . Absolutely, because the impact on to take another hit . Absolutely, | because the impact on education to take another hit . Absolutely, because the impact on education and mental because the impact on education and Mental Health is quite significant stop a Mental Health is quite significant stop a white what about the impact on small stop a white what about the impact on Small Businesses . But then they set prices on Small Businesses . But then they set prices during School Holidays thats set prices during School Holidays thats unreasonable for families to which thats unreasonable for families to which doesnt seem very fair to me. Because which doesnt seem very fair to me. Because of which doesnt seem very fair to me. Because of demand. | which doesnt seem very fair to me. Because of demand. Because of demand. I cant be a spokesperson because of demand. I cant be a spokesperson for because of demand. I cant be a spokesperson for the because of demand. I cant be a spokesperson for the whole because of demand. I cant be a spokesperson for the whole industry, i can spokesperson for the whole industry, i can ohiy spokesperson for the whole industry, i can only talk from an education perspective but what children are missing perspective but what children are missing is perspective but what children are missing is really significant. Thank ou so missing is really significant. Thank you so much missing is really significant. Thank you so much. Darren, missing is really significant. Thank you so much. Darren, whats missing is really significant. Thank you so much. Darren, whats the l you so much. Darren, what� s the profile of the children and families who are Missing School . It depends on the school who are Missing School . It depends on the school and who are Missing School . It depends on the school and that who are Missing School . It depends on the school and that relates who are Missing School . It depends on the school and that relates to i on the school and that relates to the context and understanding the different the context and understanding the different families. Your the context and understanding the different families. The context and understanding the. Different families. Im different families. Your school . Im really lucky different families. Your school . Im really lucky to different families. Your school . Im really lucky to have different families. Your school . Im really lucky to have a different families. Your school . Im really lucky to have a School Different families. Your school . Im really lucky to have a school thatsl really lucky to have a school thats really really lucky to have a school thats really ethnically diverse. Lots of my families are off for eid, lots go abroad my families are off for eid, lots go abroad for my families are off for eid, lots go abroad for instance when a Family Member abroad for instance when a Family Member is abroad for instance when a Family Member is ill. If my mum is ill, i want member is ill. If my mum is ill, i want to member is ill. If my mum is ill, i want to go member is ill. If my mum is ill, i want to go to blackpool to go and see her. Want to go to blackpool to go and see her. So want to go to blackpool to go and see her, so i understand that. But they want see her, so i understand that. But they want to go and see their Family Members they want to go and see their Family Members that are not very well. And thats members that are not very well. And thats the members that are not very well. And thats the issue behind the lower attendance. I think Mental Health and physical health is also an issue which and physical health is also an issue which impacts on School Attendance. Very briefly, how much, because leanne made an interesting point, her kids are doing really well. Missing school has not had an educational impact on them. Does it have a significant impact, missing two weeks now and again . Yes. Have a significant impact, missing two weeks now and again . Two weeks now and again . Yes, i think it does two weeks now and again . Yes, i think it does and two weeks now and again . Yes, i think it does and its two weeks now and again . Yes, i think it does and its great two weeks now and again . Yes, i think it does and its great for think it does and its great for leanne think it does and its great for leanne and her family and that is the case leanne and her family and that is the case for some families but its not the the case for some families but its not the case for all families. Missing not the case for all families. Missing school in terms of areas of the curriculum, for instance children the curriculum, for instance children could miss a key lesson on algebra children could miss a key lesson on algebra and children could miss a key lesson on algebra and that could impact them in future algebra and that could impact them in future life. There well being, algebra and that could impact them in future life. There well being, so there in future life. There well being, so there is in future life. There well being, so there is missing and then coming back there is missing and then coming back into there is missing and then coming back into an environment where youve back into an environment where youve missed part of the experience can affect youve missed part of the experience can affect you and you feel youre playing can affect you and you feel youre playing catch up because of the period playing catch up because of the period you have missed. Playing catch up because of the period you have missed. Thank you, darren. Period you have missed. Thank you, darren im period you have missed. Thank you, darren im so period you have missed. Thank you, darren. Im so pleased period you have missed. Thank you, darren. Im so pleased you period you have missed. Thank you, darren. Im so pleased you are period you have missed. Thank you, darren. Im so pleased you are able | darren. I� m so pleased you are able to give us some time. I know it� s a busy day of your head teacher. Thank you to everyone. Are absences a crisis at your school . Energy companies have been given the green light to develop one of the largest untapped oil and gas fields in uk waters. Rosebank which is about 80 miles off shetland contains up to 350 Million Barrels of oil. Environmentalists have called the decision reckless. The first room in the uk for addicts to take Illegal Drugs under supervision including heroin and cocaine is expected to be approved today in glasgow. Ministers at holyrood hope the Consumption Room will reduce overdoses and deaths by having Emergency Health care on site. Mps are calling for a bolder approach to reducing School Absences in england. More than a fifth of children are regularly missing lessons around twice as many as before the pandemic. The government says it� s increasing support for schools. Working people say they� re using credit cards to top up Energy Meters due to the pressure of high bills. The Charity Citizens Advice says it� s provided record levels of Crisis Support this year to people struggling with the rising Cost Of Living. The government insists it� s giving financial help to those who need it. Katie smith has your sport. Sarina wiegman say she� s really disappointed that the netherlands opening goal stood last night and the ar wasn� t able to check. The midfielder looked to be offside in the build up. The lionesses lost to one in the nations league. In the League Cup Manchester United and burnley are both into the fourth round, not the case for fellow top flight sides wolves and luton. Its top flight sides wolves and luton. It� s which came from 2 0 down to beat wolves 3 2 while exeter knocked out luton. To my chelsea Host Brighton of poor run of form. Mauricio pochettino revealed he� s been playing bass for challenge to try and improve confidence. He joined injanuary but has failed to score in 22 appearances. Two days out now from the start of the ryder cup, john brown says he� s been getting advice from two Team Europe Legends in ian poulter and sergio garcia, despite bass players being ineligible to compete after quitting the dp world to. We are talking about the School Absence crisis which has increased considerably. Different attitudes from parents post pandemic. It has been one of the things identified. Its been one of the things identified. It� s been called a national crisis,. From 10 00, for viewers on bbc two and bbc news its time for the latest national and international news. For listeners on bbc sounds we� re discussing the uk economy. How is it for you . Just over a year since liz truss� s government� s mini budget. A good moment for us to take stock of how you� re finances are doing. We will have experts answering questions, we� ll be hearing how some people are using credit cards to top up people are using credit cards to top up Energy Meters, Citizens Advice says its provided record levels of support this year. But the rate of inflation has eased recently. The Bank Of England surprised some by Holding Interest rates last week. Does it seem like the economy is heading in the right direction . What are things like at the moment . Its what are things like at the moment . It� s good to take stock so get in touch. Any questions, any thoughts. That is coming up at ten. We� ve had a lot of texts. If there is a crisis in schools, what impact will there be on the future workforce if children can� t cope with school they definitely won� t cope with a working environment. Secondary schools are hostile environments, we forget we� ve been through a National Trauma and many children are still recovering. The petty rules they are being held to give absolutely no is based any individuality in so many schools. So many schools have become more like army boot camp. That� s from a concerned mum in the east riding of yorkshire. As a psychotherapist, i would argue that while children may be struggling with anxiety in school, avoiding it is not the answer. Children need to be equipped with the skills to do normal, everyday things that make them anxious. Staying at home isolated will only worsen the anxiety. And this, it� s a bit rich teachers finding parents for taking holiday in term time to save a few quid in these hard times. Who is finding the teachers for missing the oh so valuable days when they go on strike . An interesting variety of opinions. Good morning to all of you. It� s the simple fact that it� s rising significantly, the number of children taking absences from school. It� s a simple fact it� s a complex problem. Sarah in dorset, not your real name, how are you . Good, thank you. Not your real name, how are you . Good, thank you. What happened . Well, m good, thank you. What happened . Well. My son good, thank you. What happened . Well, my son started good, thank you. What happened . Well, my son started to good, thank you. What happened . Well, my son started to become, l good, thank you. What happened . I well, my son started to become, not wanting to go to school at the age of eight, eight and a half. Up until then he had an ok time at school. It was a bit unusual for him. Then he had an ok time at school. It was a bit unusualfor him. And at his local Primary School he really struggled. She was absent and just sort of what we thought was anxiety going into school. And i got a lot of flack from the school, the fact he wasn� t going. Even down to the fact the head teacher on one occasion when i rang in sick one day said that he would personally drive around and collect him in his pyjamas and taken into school that day. Pyjamas and taken into school that da. ~. I pyjamas and taken into school that da. ~. Iwas pyjamas and taken into school that day i was quite pyjamas and taken into school that day. Iloathed . I was quite horrified. Day. What . I was quite horrified. Its day. What . I was quite horrified. Its literally day. What . I was quite horrified. Its literally down day. What . I was quite horrified. Its literally down the day. What . I was quite horrified. Its literally down the road, day. What . I was quite horrified. Its literally down the road, its l it� s literally down the road, it� s not miles away to where we live. But actually say that, when i� m ringing in and saying my son is not able to come in and was a little bit terrific, to be honest. Which meant that he didn� t believe me, he didn� t. 50 that he didnt believe me, he didnt. ,. , didnt. So when he said, why not . What did you didnt. So when he said, why not . What did you say . Didnt. So when he said, why not . What did you say . It didnt. So when he said, why not . What did you say . Itjust didnt. So when he said, why not . What did you say . Itjust wasnt what did you say . It ust wasnt acceptable what did you say . It ust wasnt acceptable for h what did you say . It ust wasnt acceptable for that what did you say . Itjust wasnt acceptable for that to what did you say . Itjust wasnt acceptable for that to happen i what did you say . Itjust wasnt i acceptable for that to happen and i know my own son and that this just wasn� t going to happen. I needed to look into this more, there reason why my son wasn� t going to school. You know, he was anxious but about six months later i asked doctors for a physical issue and he was diagnosed as coeliac. He didn� t know what was wrong with him and he was struggling with headaches, stomach aches, he wasn� t gluten free at that point. You know, he was poorly. But the school didn� t really support me, even when we found it helped, they didn� t really support me three years five and six at all and they didn� t support my son either. So, it was extremely stressful and difficult. It got a bit better when he went to secondary school probably for the first couple of years but his attendance was poor and it resulted in him actually a year ago being completely taken out of school and being Home Schooled for the last year. Which has taken the stress of us, him, everybody at home. Lifetime is much better now. Is much better now. What about lack of socialisation is much better now. What about lack of socialisation with is much better now. What about lack of socialisation with other is much better now. What about lack of socialisation with other kids . Of socialisation with other kids . Well, this is obviously a massive worry for us. He had friends locally that he interacts with and that� s great. We are trying to get him into sort of groups that you can join, stuff like that, on his terms. So when he� s feeling well, because he is still not particularly well. It was more about the attendance that, that i think it� s just a blanket thing for children to go to school and no individuality there at all and no individuality there at all and they� ve just got to fit into the rat race of school and if they don� t pay full through the net. And i think that� s probably, ifeel pay full through the net. And i think that� s probably, i feel my son has fallen through the net of education. But at the time we were so worried about his health, his Mental Health, that getting that right before the education was the best way forward. He� s actually had help with Mental Health and we pay privately for that because of the Waiting Lists for children, said camhs is massive. We pay privately for that which has helped us massively and he is now being Home Schooled. Lockdown for him was a benefit because everything is online and he could Access School every day online. He was caught up with all the other children and obviously you they weren� t sending work time for him. Obviously you they werent sending work time for him. Work time for him. Thats interesting, work time for him. Thats interesting, lockdown work time for him. Thats interesting, lockdown a l work time for him. Thats interesting, lockdown a positive for some. You� ve highlighted the old phrase square peg in a round hole, i guess. I� m bringing in sasha in hertford. Guess. Im bringing in sasha in hertford. ,. Guess. Im bringing in sasha in hertford very l guess. Im bringing in sasha in hertford. Very well. Hertford. How are you . Very well. What are your hertford. How are you . Very well. What are your thoughts . Hertford. How are you . Very well. What are your thoughts . What hertford. How are you . Very well. What are your thoughts . What are your experiences . I� m what are your thoughts . What are your experiences . What are your thoughts . What are your experiences . Im taking my kids out of school your experiences . Im taking my kids out of school. My your experiences . Im taking my kids out of school. My daughter your experiences . Im taking my kids out of school. My daughter loves out of school. My daughter loves skiing out of school. My daughter loves skiing and out of school. My daughter loves skiing and she is passionate about skiing skiing and she is passionate about skiing but skiing and she is passionate about skiing but we go through getting to the school, you ask for permission to go the school, you ask for permission to go and the school, you ask for permission to go and you say these are the reasons to go and you say these are the reasons why, i want to spend time with my reasons why, i want to spend time with my family, be honest with them, say that with my family, be honest with them, say that she with my family, be honest with them, say that she wants to be a skiing instructor, say that she wants to be a skiing instructor, she loves travel, all my kids on instructor, she loves travel, all my kids on skiing but we cant afford to Go Kids On Skiing but we cant afford to go during the holiday so we need to go during the holiday so we need to take to go during the holiday so we need to take off to go during the holiday so we need to take off the last week or tell us when to take off the last week or tell us when is to take off the last week or tell us when is a to take off the last week or tell us when is a good week but youre not allowed when is a good week but youre not allowed to when is a good week but youre not allowed to. So, the teachers standard allowed to. So, the teachers standard is, no, we cant authorise you standard is, no, we cant authorise you thats standard is, no, we cant authorise you. Thats what the local authority says. You. Thats what the local authority says. We you. Thats what the local authority says, we cannot authorise it. But this is says, we cannot authorise it. But this is that says, we cannot authorise it. But this is that their education, its for them this is that their education, its for them and i cant afford to do it outside for them and i cant afford to do it outside of for them and i cant afford to do it outside of these times. If you decide outside of these times. If you decide to outside of these times. If you decide to take its on a skiing holiday. Decide to take its on a skiing holiday, you decide to go on strike, you decide holiday, you decide to go on strike, you decide to take the occasional day whenever you want, work with me. Weve day whenever you want, work with me. Weve got day whenever you want, work with me. Weve got modern technology that allows weve got modern technology that allows us weve got modern technology that allows us to set the kids homework and im allows us to set the kids homework and im quite happy to do that but they say, and im quite happy to do that but they say, no. Its ridiculous. Privately they say, no. Its ridiculous. Privately when you talk to them they say, i privately when you talk to them they say, i get privately when you talk to them they say, i get you and i would do it too say, i get you and i would do it too but say, i get you and i would do it too but i say, i get you and i would do it too. But i cant actually authorise you to too. But i cant actually authorise you to do too. But i cant actually authorise you to do it. Too. But i cant actually authorise you to do it, im not allowed to because you to do it, im not allowed to because the whole system doesnt allow because the whole system doesnt allow me because the whole system doesnt allow me to do it. I cant do it. The allow me to do it. I cant do it. The system allow me to do it. I cant do it. The system is completely wrong and i agree the system is completely wrong and i agree with the system is completely wrong and i agree with your previous caller, family agree with your previous caller, family time is so important. We will cost of family time is so important. We will Cost Of Living crisis, im getting home Cost Of Living crisis, im getting home at Cost Of Living crisis, im getting home at 8pm online pm at night, trying home at 8pm online pm at night, trying to home at 8pm online pm at night, trying to pay the bills and a lot of people trying to pay the bills and a lot of people are doing that. How trying to pay the bills and a lot of people are doing that. Trying to pay the bills and a lot of people are doing that. How many are ou in the people are doing that. How many are you in the family . People are doing that. How many are you in the family . Theres people are doing that. How many are you in the family . Theres actually i you in the family . Theres actually six kids now you in the family . Theres actually six kids now. Five you in the family . Theres actually six kids now. Five kids. You in the family . Theres actually six kids now. Five kids. Ive you in the family . Theres actually six kids now. Five kids. Ive got i you in the family . Theres actually six kids now. Five kids. Ive got to | six kids now. Five kids. Ive got to stepchildren six kids now. Five kids. Ive got to stepchildren and three of my own, too many stepchildren and three of my own, too man. �. Too many. Laughter im too many. Laughter im as too many. Laughter im as guilty too many. Laughter im as guilty as too many. Laughter. Im as guilty as anyone too many. Laughter im as guilty as anyone for too many. Laughter im as guilty as anyone for that. I� m as guilty as anyone for that. Where do you go for the skiing . France is my favourite place for skiing france is my favourite place for skiing and france is my favourite place for skiing and we love it there. But the Difference Skiing and we love it there. But the difference in price, its £1500 the week difference in price, its £1500 the week were difference in price, its £1500 the week were taking them out and its ust week were taking them out and its just the week were taking them out and its just the week before the ten closes. In just the week before the ten closes. In the just the week before the ten closes. In the last just the week before the ten closes. In the last week of term, most of the modern in the last week of term, most of the modern colouring. The teacher puts on the modern colouring. The teacher puts on a the modern colouring. The teacher puts on a video. Theyre running around, puts on a video. Theyre running around, they dont generally do a lot. Around, they dont generally do a lot its around, they dont generally do a lot. Its £1500 for that week and its £4800 lot. Its £1500 for that week and its £4800 for the other weeks. The flight its £4800 for the other weeks. The flight on its £4800 for the other weeks. The flight on £25 each that week. The £400 flight on £25 each that week. The £400 each way two weeks later. On the whole £400 each way two weeks later. On the whole system is wrong. I would like to the whole system is wrong. I would like to see the whole system is wrong. I would like to see the government to be more like to see the government to be more creative and come up with a system more creative and come up with a system that says, and the teachers would system that says, and the teachers would like system that says, and the teachers would like this as well, lets reduce would like this as well, lets reduce some holidays to perhaps four weeks reduce some holidays to perhaps four weeks and reduce some holidays to perhaps four weeks and there is some sort of inschool weeks and there is some sort of in School Education that goes on and allow in School Education that goes on and allow everybody to take two weeks a year. Allow everybody to take two weeks a year. As allow everybody to take two weeks a year, as long as the children up to date on their education are not falling up to date on their education are not falling behind and its not in events not falling behind and its not in events that the teachers in the School Events that the teachers in the school have got plans that are important like exams and things like that. Important like exams and things like that youll important like exams and things like that. Youll have the situation where that. Youll have the situation where the that. Youll have the situation where the Holiday Companies are now not rushing where the Holiday Companies are now not rushing around and trying to earn not rushing around and trying to earn all not rushing around and trying to earn all that money in six weeks, the holiday earn all that money in six weeks, the Holiday Crisis comes down, youve the Holiday Crisis comes down, youve got the Holiday Crisis comes down, youve got people taking holiday, the teachers can take holidays two weeks the teachers can take holidays two weeks out the teachers can take holidays two weeks out of ten as well. The teachers weeks out of ten as well. The teachers are paying, are being penalised. Teachers that are on quite penalised. Teachers that are on quite having to pay £9,000 for a skiing quite having to pay £9,000 for a skiing trip quite having to pay £9,000 for a skiing trip rather than £2000 for a skiing skiing trip rather than £2000 for a skiing trip skiing trip rather than £2000 for a skiing trip. So, the government needs skiing trip. So, the government needs to skiing trip. So, the government needs to be more creative. And i suspect needs to be more creative. And i suspect as needs to be more creative. And i suspect as well, when you look at the education behind this, my kids arent the education behind this, my kids arent falling behind. Theyre much more arent falling behind. Theyre much more well rounded because i do what i do. More well rounded because i do what i do | more wellrounded because i do what i do. ,. , more wellrounded because i do what ido. , i do. I get the financial disparity. Youve got i do. I get the financial disparity. Youve got either i do. I get the financial disparity. Youve got either to i do. I get the financial disparity. Youve got either to grant i do. I get the financial disparity. Youve got either to grant as you� ve got either to grant as against eight grand which is a massive slice. I got a texture which says, sorry, but if he can take the kids out of school for one kid� s interest, is not unfair on all the others education . But interest, is not unfair on all the others education . Others education . But as i said before, others education . But as i said before. With others education . But as i said before, with doneness, others education . But as i said before, with doneness, weve i others education . But as i said i before, with doneness, weve got electronic before, with doneness, weve got electronic stuff, homework, if the schools electronic stuff, homework, if the schools were allowed to do this and there schools were allowed to do this and there was schools were allowed to do this and there was a schools were allowed to do this and there was a different policy, we could there was a different policy, we could actually organise the holidays around could actually organise the holidays around that and they wouldnt lose any education. My kids are doing welliust any education. My kids are doing welljust like your previous caller and i welljust like your previous caller and i suspect if you look at the real dates and i suspect if you look at the real dates of the families that are spending real dates of the families that are spending a lot of time with their kids. Spending a lot of time with their kids. Their spending a lot of time with their kids, their kids are actually doing much kids, their kids are actually doing much better. Theyre not actually below much better. Theyre not actually below on much better. Theyre not actually below on their education. So, youve ot below on their education. So, youve got to below on their education. So, youve got to look below on their education. So, youve got to look at private schools. Private got to look at private schools. Private schools break up two weeks earlier~ private schools break up two weeks earlier. How does that make sense . Youve earlier. How does that make sense . Youve got earlier. How does that make sense . Youve got people earning £300,000 a year, getting cheap holidays. Because year, getting cheap holidays. Because the private schools are clever. Because the private schools are clever, theyre going, lets break up clever, theyre going, lets break up two clever, theyre going, lets break up two weeks earlier than Everyone Else up two weeks earlier than Everyone Else. Whats our government doing . Theyre else. Whats our government doing . Theyre just else. Whats our government doing . Theyre just punishing state educated children. With more expensive holidays in italy system and the expensive holidays in italy system and the teachers as well. And the teachers as well. Sasha, thank you and the teachers as well. Sasha, thank you very and the teachers as well. Sasha, thank you very much and the teachers as well. Sasha, thank you very much indeed. And the teachers as well. Sasha, i thank you very much indeed. Lets and the teachers as well. Sasha, thank you very much indeed. Lets go thank you very much indeed. Let� s go declare in morecambe. Good morning. Son is seven and problems . He declare in morecambe. Good morning. Son is seven and problems . Son is seven and problems . He was in a Mainstream Son is seven and problems . He was in a Mainstream School son is seven and problems . He was in a Mainstream School until son is seven and problems . He was in a Mainstream School until he son is seven and problems . He was in a Mainstream School until he was a Mainstream School until he was five and then permanently excluded. He was placed into a Pupil Referral Unit which is mainly for children with challenging behaviour, not Special Needs which we suspected he had. He was there for 18 months but his absences were forced by the school. He wasn� t allowed in the next day if he hadn� t apologised to staff the day before. They said it wasn� t safe for him to be in the school, even getting him to school was a massive issue. So these gaps where they said he couldn� t go ruined his routine and made it even harder to get him in the day after. He spent a lot of his day in a safe room which essentially was a padded cell. It� s put so much anxiety on him because he feels like every school will be like that now. Every school will be like that now. Every School Experience he has been like that. Been lucky, myjob has been fantastic and i� ve managed to work around ten, he couldn� t go in i� ve managed to take time off work and work on the days and make up my hours. We� ve been really lucky, he� s now been placed into a school. He� s got a Health Care Plan so he� s got his needs on paper and the school he goes to has to meet those needs. He� s an school which is an hour away from our house, so he� s got an hour commute, so his day is two hours longer than any child should need to be. So, we still have problems getting him there. But it� s so different now. The school rings me, they talk about him positively, evenif me, they talk about him positively, even if he� s had a bad day, his teacher tells me she� s so proud of him, even if it had a really rubbish day. My advice to parents is don� t give up, you are your child� s voice, don� t give up. Give up, you are your childs voice, dont give up dont give up. Thank you. Only in hampshire. Dont give up. Thank you. Only in hampshire, hello. Dont give up. Thank you. Only in hampshire, hello. What dont give up. Thank you. Only in hampshire, hello. What the dont give up. Thank you. Only in i hampshire, hello. What the school like for you, because it wasn� t so long ago, was it . It like for you, because it wasnt so long ago, was it . Long ago, was it . It feels like it was quite long ago, was it . It feels like it was quite a long ago, was it . It feels like it was quite a while long ago, was it . It feels like it was quite a while ago. Long ago, was it . It feels like it was quite a while ago. Im long ago, was it . It feels like it was quite a while ago. Im 26 i long ago, was it . It feels like it. Was quite a while ago. Im 26 now. Take was quite a while ago. Im 26 now. Take it was quite a while ago. Im 26 now. Take it from was quite a while ago. Im 26 now. Take it from me, it wasnt so long take it from me, it wasn� t so long ago, in the great scheme of things. What was it like . It ago, in the great scheme of things. What was it like . What was it like . It was very hard, eseciall what was it like . It was very hard, especially secondary what was it like . It was very hard, especially secondary school. What was it like . It was very hard, especially secondary school. My i especially secondary school. My teenage especially secondary school. My teenage years were very tricky as they are teenage years were very tricky as they are for most people. My mum passed they are for most people. My mum passed away when i was 15, she was a single passed away when i was 15, she was a single parent and i lived with my grandparents as well. I was very looked grandparents as well. I was very looked after that i found it very hard looked after that i found it very hard and looked after that i found it very hard. And School Almost became a dangerous hard. And School Almost became a dangerous place in that i wasnt very good dangerous place in that i wasnt very good to myself, its fair to say very good to myself, its fair to say i very good to myself, its fair to say. I wouldnt eat lunch and i would say. I wouldnt eat lunch and i would just say. I wouldnt eat lunch and i would just be very isolated, i think would ust be very isolated, i think. ~. , would ust be very isolated, i think. ,. ,. , think. Where was the danger coming from . From think. Where was the danger coming from . From myself. Think. Where was the danger coming from . From myself. So, think. Where was the danger coming from . From myself. So, i think. Where was the danger coming from . From myself. So, itook think. Where was the danger coming | from . From myself. So, itook about six months from . From myself. So, itook about six months of from . From myself. So, itook about six months of school from . From myself. So, itook about six months of school and from . From myself. So, itook about six months of school and i from . From myself. So, itook about six months of school and i had from . From myself. So, itook about six months of school and i had poor. Six months of school and i had poor attendance six months of school and i had poor attendance anyway. I still managed to do attendance anyway. I still managed to do my attendance anyway. I still managed to do my gcses, i did well and i went to do my gcses, i did well and i went to to do my gcses, i did well and i went to college and had similar issues went to college and had similar issues there where i really struggled with attendance to the extent struggled with attendance to the extent where my law teacher told me, dont bother extent where my law teacher told me, dont bother taking your exam, dont put yourself dont bother taking your exam, dont put yourself through it, theres no point put yourself through it, theres no point but put yourself through it, theres no point but i put yourself through it, theres no point. But i did do it and i got an a. I point. But i did do it and i got an a iwas point. But i did do it and i got an a i was still point. But i did do it and i got an a. I was still doing the work and ust a. I was still doing the work and just want a. I was still doing the work and just want to say that dont give up on these just want to say that dont give up on these kids because they dont have on these kids because they dont have high on these kids because they dont have high attendance. Success looks different have high attendance. Success looks different every child and potential is different in every child. Support them is different in every child. Support them in is different in every child. Support them in the way they need because they can them in the way they need because they can go on and be successful. I ot they can go on and be successful. I got a they can go on and be successful. I got a first they can go on and be successful. I got a first class degree, a masters and im got a first class degree, a masters and im about to start a phd and im going and im about to start a phd and im going into and im about to start a phd and im going into my secondary School Tomorrow going into my secondary School Tomorrow to give a careers talk. Thats tomorrow to give a careers talk. Thats fantastic i tomorrow to give a careers talk. Thats fantastic tomorrow to give a careers talk. Thats fantastic i ust wanted to sa that thats fantastic i ust wanted to say that although thats fantastic i just wanted to say that although attendance i thats fantastic i just wanted to say that although attendance is| thats fantastic i just wanted to i say that although attendance is one way to say that although attendance is one way to measure a child, its not the only way way to measure a child, its not the only way and way to measure a child, its not the only way and its not the only important only way and its not the only important thing. They can still be successful, they can still be successful, they can still be successful while having poor attendance. It looks different every child attendance. It looks different every child. � attendance. It looks different every child. ~. ,. , attendance. It looks different every child. ,. , child. And also having lost your mum when ou child. And also having lost your mum when you were child. And also having lost your mum when you were 15. Child. And also having lost your mum when you were 15. Different child. And also having lost your mum when you were 15. Different children | when you were 15. Different children have different and particular issues and challenges and problems which sometimes, for reasons of the fact it� s hustling and bustling and busy and under resourced and all those things people say, maybe individuals, people with different problems, those problems are not taken fully account of. Problems, those problems are not ta ken fully account of. Iatreiith problems, those problems are not taken fully account of. Taken fully account of. With the benefit of hindsight, taken fully account of. With the benefit of hindsight, my taken fully account of. With the i benefit of hindsight, my secondary School Benefit of hindsight, my secondary school was really, really good. They tried to school was really, really good. They tried to hardest to make it accessible for me and a lot of the teachers accessible for me and a lot of the teachers would give me the work to do at teachers would give me the work to do at Home Teachers would give me the work to do at home. With my sixth form college, do at home. With my sixth form college, which was a separate institution, my sixth form is massive institution, my sixth form is massive and that individual support fell away massive and that individual support fell away and i think i had a worse time fell away and i think i had a worse time at fell away and i think i had a worse time at sixth form than at school. I felt quite time at sixth form than at school. I felt quite lost, i think. But i think felt quite lost, i think. But i think having support is important. So, think having support is important. So. Whats think having support is important. So, whats the talk tomorrow . What so, what� s the talk tomorrow . What is going to be your message when you go back to your secondary school and you give your talk . I� m go back to your secondary school and you give your talk . You give your talk . Im ust going to sa , you give your talk . Im ust going to say. Go you give your talk . Im ust going to say. Go fast you give your talk . Im ust going to say. Go for it h you give your talk . Im ust going to say, go for it and you give your talk . Im ust going to say, go for it and do you give your talk . Im just going to say, go for it and do it you give your talk . Im just going| to say, go for it and do it because theres to say, go for it and do it because theres one to say, go for it and do it because theres one who can say what you need theres one who can say what you need to theres one who can say what you need to say theres one who can say what you need to say and no one who can say what need to say and no one who can say what you need to say and no one who can say what you need to be like. Just dont let anything hold you back and try your best let anything hold you back and try your best because thats all you can do and your best because thats all you can do and it your best because thats all you can do and it will be good enough. You are an do and it will be good enough. M. Are an inspiration and its been a are an inspiration and it� s been a privilege talking to you, ellie. Thank you. I love your show. It� s thank you. I love your show. Its always thank you. I love your show. Its always very thank you. I love your show. Its always very empathetic and interesting. A always very empathetic and interesting. Always very empathetic and interestint. �. , interesting. A play that last bit m self interesting. A play that last bit myself when interesting. A play that last bit myself when i interesting. A play that last bit myself when i go interesting. A play that last bit myself when i go home. Interesting. A play that last bit myself when i go home. Thank interesting. A play that last bit myself when i go home. Thank you. While. It� sjust wonderful myself when i go home. Thank you. While. It� s just wonderful calls this morning. We� ve learned a lot. Every day is a school day, except more and more it isn� t. Let� s talk about in the next hour. It� s time to say goodbye to viewers on bbc news and bbc two. Thank you for watching. Live from london, this is bbc news. Energy companies have been given the go ahead to extract oil and gas from a new field off the coast of scotland. At least 100 people are reported to have been killed in a fire at a Wedding Party in northern iraq. Early reports suggest it was caused by fireworks. A new yorkjudge finds that donald trump repeatedly exaggerated his wealth sometimes by hundreds of millions of dollars to banks and insurers. The uk� s first Consumption Room for Illegal Drugs including heroin and cocaine is expected to be approved this morning in glasgow. Hello. I� m celia hatton. Im celia hatton. We start with breakin im celia hatton. We start with breaking news. The British Government has given Energy Companies the green light to develop one of the largest