, ASCL’s general secretary, said: “School attendance is a problem in all areas of the country. Normal routines were disrupted by the pandemic and this has been exacerbated by rising levels of mental health problems among pupils, such as anxiety and depression, which are made worse by the cost-of-living crisis.
”Mr Barton said the government was providing extra help to schools to tackle absence, but claimed this is “very limited and does not address the underlying causes of the problem”. He added: “There needs to be more investment in schools and local services so they are able to provide the pastoral and specialist support that is required, and more action is needed to address the scourge of child poverty.