Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 2026
Quick read The role of paediatricians in supporting children’s school attendance: Position statement
Purpose 1. Detail how paediatricians can support children and families with school attendance. 2. Outline the importance of education and the impact of persistent school absence.
Introduction Education is a defining part of a child’s life, supporting the holistic development of children and young people and empowering them to reach their full potential. For many children, this is experienced through attending school from the ages of 5-16.
UK legislation dictates that children must receive an education between the ages of 5-16. The majority of children across the UK will attend maintained/state-funded education, with a smaller number attending specialist settings, private schools or elective home education.
Beyond the numerous educational opportunities, school can provide children and young people with a chance for social and emotional development, nutritious meals, physical activity and extra curriculum opportunities. The school environment also has a pivotal role in identifying vulnerable children, providing the setting for children to access health surveillance, vaccinations, support and advice, as well as individual and group therapeutic programmes where available.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic an increasing number of children and young people have been reported as missing school. This has given rise to persistent (chronic) school absence, defined as children missing more than 10% of sessions a year. The increase in persistent school absence is driven by a complex interplay of factors drawn from social, economic, and health-related influences. In recent months paediatricians, governments and children alike have approached RCPCH for guidance and support on how to mitigate the health-related influences on persistent school absence and support children in education more widely.
The long-lasting benefits of school attendance on an individual’s physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as employability and future participation in society, have been well documented. Equally, studies have detailed the negative impacts of school absence on both short-term school attainment and long-term educational and labour market outcomes.
This statement seeks to start that conversation.
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