Shocking statistics have projected that by the 2026/27 autumn and Spring term there will be 2,866 children persistently out of education in Sheffield – an increase of 174% since 2016.

Persistent school absence is one of the biggest challenges that needs to be tackled if barriers to opportunity are going to be broken down.

Louise Haigh MP for Sheffield Heeley, said:

“These statistics are shocking and behind every stat is a child who is missing out on their education and on reaching their full potential.

“There are many reasons behind why a child might be missing out on their education: a child facing bullying and too frightened to go to school; or suffering from neglect at home; or not being in the right setting to meet their needs.

“I have been contacted by a concerning number of constituents who have been forced to take their children out of school due to a lack of support in the school environment.

“The work that teachers, SENCOs, and teaching assistants do is incomparable, yet they continue to be hit with a lack of funding to support persistent absentees.

“The Conservatives have allowed the persistent absence crisis in school attendance to spiral out of control and have no plan to get children back to school.

“Labour’s long-term plan will tackle the reasons children are out of class, with mental health counselling, breakfast clubs and a register of home-schooled children, funded by ending tax breaks for private schools.

“We will put education at the heart of national life to give our children a bright future once again.”