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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Guardian community team

UK parents: what is behind the rise in school absences?

School absences have increased since the pandemic
School absences have increased since the pandemic Photograph: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images

Increased anxiety and lack of mental health support are behind a sharp rise in school absences since the Covid pandemic, according to councils in England.

School absence rates across the UK are significantly higher than they were pre-pandemic. We want to hear from parents in the UK with children in primary or secondary school about the reasons for this rise. In your experience, what has changed? How often are you or your child off school? Do you do half day or partial days? What is driving this? Is the rising cost of living playing a role, and if so, how?

We are also interested in hearing from students who are 18 and above.

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