Parents working from home affecting school attendance

"Twm OwenLocal Democracy Reporting Service Getty Images A councillor has blamed parents who work from home for continued poor attendance at Welsh schools. Monmouthshire councillor Martyn Groucutt, said school attendance had not recovered to pre-pandemic levels. "Since the pandemic too many families have stopped sending their children to school regularly." The annual report from Monmouthshire County Council's director of education for 2024/25 said overall attendance had "improved"."

"Councillor Groucutt, who previously had responsibility for education in Monmouthshire, described school attendance as the "elephant in the room" at a council scrutiny meeting. He said: "Parents are contacting schools saying 'I work from home three days a week, why can't my children do the same?' It doesn't work like that." He added that friends of his had also opted to home school their children, which he described as "very far" from easy."

"The annual report for 2024/25 said primary school attendance in the county was "moving rapidly" towards pre-pandemic levels, but desired secondary school attendance as "slower to recover". Attendance for Monmouthshire primary pupils was 93.6%, compared to 92.2% across Wales. Attendance for secondary school pupils was 88.2% which was slightly higher than the all-Wales figure 88.1%. The Welsh Government said "good attendance" was usually at around 95%."

Monmouthshire school attendance has improved since the pandemic but has not fully returned to pre-pandemic levels. Primary attendance is moving rapidly towards pre-pandemic rates, while secondary attendance is slower to recover. Primary attendance in the county stands at 93.6% versus 92.2% across Wales; secondary attendance is 88.2% compared with 88.1% all-Wales. The Welsh Government considers around 95% to be "good attendance." Some parents working from home have questioned why children must attend in person, and some families have opted for home schooling, which remains challenging for many.

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