Deeply Concerning Persistent Absence Rates in Folkestone & Hythe Schools Post-Covid

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Folkestone & Hythe has experienced a significant surge in persistent absence rates across both primary and secondary schools. Although there has been a slight percentage decrease in persistent absence during the 2023/24 academic year, the overall figures remain deeply concerning.

Persistence absence defined as pupils missing 10% or more of their possible sessions, remains stubbornly high, with some schools reporting rates as high as 42.1%. This trend is not only disrupting the education of thousands of children in the district, but also exacerbating inequalities, particularly in areas of high deprivation, such as Harbour Ward, Folkestone East, Folkestone Central and Walland & Denge Marsh Ward.

Data has been provided by Peter Read (pictured), and analysed by the Shepway Vox TEAM. Peter was an acting Headmaster at Harvey Grammar School and Headmaster of Gravesend Grammar School. He is considered one of the most influential figures in Kent’s educational landscape over the last two decades. The analysed data shows Folkestone Academy recorded a persistent absence rate of 42.1%, while Harvey Grammar School reported a significantly lower rate of 12.6%. This disparity highlights the uneven impact of the crisis across the district.

The situation is equally dire in primary schools. Of the 37 primary schools in the area, 12 have persistent absence rates above 20%. Most of these schools are located in areas of high deprivation, where children are already at a disadvantage. For example, Mundella Primary School in Folkestone has a shocking one in three children persistently absent, compared to just 3% at Sandgate Primary School.

The surge in persistent absence can be attributed to a combination of factors, many of which are lingering effects of the pandemic. These include:

1. Mental Health Challenges: The pandemic has left many children grappling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, making it difficult for them to return to school regularly.
2. Parental Influence: With more parents working from home, some families have adopted a more relaxed attitude toward school attendance, viewing it as optional rather than essential.
3. Exploitation of Loopholes: Parents often cite minor illnesses, such as colds, to justify absences, leaving schools powerless to challenge these claims. Attempts by some schools to require doctor’s notes have been criticized for placing additional pressure on already overburdened GPs.
4. Extended Home Education: The rise in home education, particularly in deprived areas, has further contributed to the decline in school attendance. Shockingly, there has been little official or private interest in addressing this growing trend.

The implications of high absence rates are far-reaching and deeply concerning:

• For Students: Persistent absence leads to fragmented learning, missed curriculum content, and the development of poor attitudes toward education. This can have long-term effects on academic achievement, employability, and overall life chances.
• For Schools: Teachers are forced to juggle the needs of absent students with those who attend regularly, disrupting the continuity of lessons and hindering overall progress. The lack of consequences for non-attendance also undermines the importance of regular school attendance for the entire class.
• For Society: The widening gap between children in deprived areas and their peers in more affluent areas threatens to deepen existing inequalities, creating a cycle of disadvantage that is difficult to break.

The problem extends beyond Folkestone & Hythe. Data from Kent and Medway shows a significant increase in absence rates since the pre-Covid years:

Insert Chart: Kent and Medway Absence Rates (2018-19 to 2023-24)

Kent Schools	Total Absence	Unauthorised Absence	Persistent Absence
Primary (2018-19)	4.2%	1.2%	9.1%
Primary (2021-22)	6.6%	1.6%	19.1%
Primary (2022-23)	6.2%	1.7%	17.2%
Primary (2023-24)	4.2%	1.7%	15.9%
Secondary (2018-19)	5.9%	1.9%	15.1%
Secondary (2021-22)	9.3%	3.0%	29.2%
Secondary (2022-23)	9.6%	3.4%	29.2%
Secondary (2023-24)	9.0%	3.3%	26.9%

Source: Kent County Council (KCC)

Ofsted has repeatedly flagged attendance issues in its recent reports, alongside other challenges such as high levels of pupil mobility, children with English as a second language, and the impact of Pupil Premium (PP) funding. Despite these warnings, there has been a lack of meaningful intervention to address the root causes of persistent absence.

The current approach to tackling persistent absence is clearly inadequate. Fining parents for unauthorised absences, while a step in the right direction, is unlikely to deter families from taking term-time holidays or keeping children home for minor illnesses. What is needed is a comprehensive strategy that includes:

1. Mental Health Support: Increased access to counseling and mental health services for students struggling with pandemic-related anxiety and depression.
2. Parental Engagement: Programs to educate parents on the importance of regular school attendance and the long-term consequences of persistent absence.
3. School-Level Interventions: Innovative approaches to re-engage absent students, such as flexible learning options and targeted support for vulnerable families.
4. Policy Reform: A review of current policies to close loopholes that allow parents to exploit the system without facing meaningful consequences.

Although there has been a slight percentage decrease in persistent absences across Kent as a whole, the rates in Folkestone & Hythe remain alarmingly high and require urgent intervention. Without immediate and concerted action, thousands of children are at risk of falling behind, exacerbating cycles of disadvantage and inequality. It is imperative that schools, local authorities, and policymakers unite to tackle this pressing issue head-on before it escalates into an insurmountable crisis. The time to act is now—our children’s futures depend on it.

The Shepway Vox Team

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