Lord Sewell Urges Parents to Combat School Absenteeism Among Children
Urgent warning to parents to stop 'colluding' in crisis of children bunking off school

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Lord Cleveland Sewell, tasked with investigating racial disparities in education, warns parents against enabling school absenteeism, which has surged significantly post-pandemic. He highlights that 89 million school days were lost last year, urging parents to prioritize education and parental involvement to ensure children's success.
- 01An estimated 89 million school days were lost due to absences last year, a significant increase from previous years.
- 02Lord Sewell emphasizes that allowing children to skip school is akin to 'low-level abuse'.
- 03Only 36% of white British boys on free school meals met expected standards in GCSE maths and English last year.
- 04Sewell attributes educational success in ethnic minorities to 'immigrant optimism' and the presence of fathers in the home.
- 05He urges political parties to address the needs of 'left behind people' to regain support in key constituencies.
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Lord Cleveland Sewell, who previously investigated racial disparities in education, has issued a stern warning to parents about the increasing rates of school absenteeism among children. According to the Centre for Social Justice, 89 million school days were lost last year, a staggering 29 million more than in the 2018-19 academic year. Sewell argues that parents must not 'collude' with their children by allowing them to skip school for leisure activities, such as playing video games. He likens this behavior to 'low-level abuse' and insists that children should prioritize education by attending school regularly. The report he contributed to revealed that only 36% of white British boys eligible for free school meals achieved expected standards in GCSE maths and English, compared to 65% of all pupils. Sewell emphasizes the importance of parental involvement, particularly the role of fathers, in fostering a positive educational environment. He believes that both Conservative and Labour parties have neglected the needs of disadvantaged communities, leaving them vulnerable to alternative political movements. To regain trust, he advises focusing on educational opportunities for all children.
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This situation directly affects children's educational outcomes and future opportunities.
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