Welcome to the School Refusers resource centre
Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Long time - no write
My jottings in the blog normally follow a news item regarding School Refusal, so when I realised that I had not written anything for quite some time, it came to me that School Refusal has been out of the news for some time.
Now, why should that have been?
Can there be fewer cases of children and young people unable to attend school because of a 'phobia'?
Or is it just no longer newsworthy?
Writing in the USA, Carol Dweck says 'Young children are developing school phobia in epic numbers and are dropping out in favour of home schooling'. Surely there cannot be a significant difference in the UK?
When her daughter suddenly refused to go to school, Anni Bartle was at a loss as to what to do until she discovered a little understood phobia was to blame. She told her story to the daily Express in April: http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/475422/School-phobia-How-fear-of-the-classroom-made-one-teenager-ill
We need more articles like this to keep awareness alive so that parents can receive the help and support they and their children need and deserve.
Now, why should that have been?
Can there be fewer cases of children and young people unable to attend school because of a 'phobia'?
Or is it just no longer newsworthy?
Writing in the USA, Carol Dweck says 'Young children are developing school phobia in epic numbers and are dropping out in favour of home schooling'. Surely there cannot be a significant difference in the UK?
When her daughter suddenly refused to go to school, Anni Bartle was at a loss as to what to do until she discovered a little understood phobia was to blame. She told her story to the daily Express in April: http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/475422/School-phobia-How-fear-of-the-classroom-made-one-teenager-ill
We need more articles like this to keep awareness alive so that parents can receive the help and support they and their children need and deserve.
Wednesday, 27 August 2014
Anxiety resources
Anxiety.com provides a range of self-help programmes for those who suffer anxiety; perhaps a fear of flying, or getting nervous when in a socially awkward situation; suffering a panic attack or with a significant fear of a particular object or situation, such as closed spaces (claustrophobia).
If school refusal is listed, then I did not spot it, but the resources listed will offer some support to most cases.
http://www.anxieties.com
If school refusal is listed, then I did not spot it, but the resources listed will offer some support to most cases.
http://www.anxieties.com
Sunday, 10 August 2014
Parental fines in England for children's poor school attendance has risen sharply
The BBC has reported that the number of parental fines in England for children's poor school attendance has risen sharply since the government ban on term-time holidays was introduced, BBC research suggests.
Almost 64,000 fines have been issued since the law changed in September 2013, a rise of about 70%, according to local authority data.
More than three-quarters of councils, 118, responded to a BBC survey.
The ban has drawn opposition from parents, with hundreds of thousands signing petitions against the new rules and calling for the government to take action against holiday companies who raise their prices at peak times.
Parents are fined £60 per parent per child per period of absence, which rises to £120 if not paid within 21 days.
Some fines will have been for truancy or repeated poor attendance, but most were for parents who took children on holiday during term time.
From last September new regulations have meant that school heads can no longer grant 10 days' holiday "in special circumstances".
However, they can still allow extended leave for more than 10 school days "in exceptional circumstances".
But these absences are subject to strict rules, with heads expected to determine in advance the exact number of days a pupil may have away from school.
I would be interested how these new rules have impacted on families whose children have failed to attend school for reasons well know to us here.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-28687541
Almost 64,000 fines have been issued since the law changed in September 2013, a rise of about 70%, according to local authority data.
More than three-quarters of councils, 118, responded to a BBC survey.
The ban has drawn opposition from parents, with hundreds of thousands signing petitions against the new rules and calling for the government to take action against holiday companies who raise their prices at peak times.
Parents are fined £60 per parent per child per period of absence, which rises to £120 if not paid within 21 days.
Some fines will have been for truancy or repeated poor attendance, but most were for parents who took children on holiday during term time.
From last September new regulations have meant that school heads can no longer grant 10 days' holiday "in special circumstances".
However, they can still allow extended leave for more than 10 school days "in exceptional circumstances".
But these absences are subject to strict rules, with heads expected to determine in advance the exact number of days a pupil may have away from school.
I would be interested how these new rules have impacted on families whose children have failed to attend school for reasons well know to us here.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-28687541
Tuesday, 10 June 2014
Sitting on the naughty step
I have been held to task for not regularly posting in the blog! It is indeed sometime since my last entry.
It is hard to find new information on school refusal when so little appears to being done for our children. If i miss anything, please take a few moments to let me, or Linda, know.
Our Forum continues to be active, with members being very supportive of each other. Thank you all so much for being there for each other - and for me when I feel the need to sound off!
Take care of each other, and your children.
Yours aye,
Simon
PS
Sorry about the missing icon on the Forum menu page - I cannot find a way to fix it - yet.
It is hard to find new information on school refusal when so little appears to being done for our children. If i miss anything, please take a few moments to let me, or Linda, know.
Our Forum continues to be active, with members being very supportive of each other. Thank you all so much for being there for each other - and for me when I feel the need to sound off!
Take care of each other, and your children.
Yours aye,
Simon
PS
Sorry about the missing icon on the Forum menu page - I cannot find a way to fix it - yet.
Thursday, 28 November 2013
Guide to parents' legal rights on school attendance in England
I was disappointed to discover that The Advisory Centre for Education had closed due to lack of funding.
However, ACE Education Advice CIC & ACE Education Training LLP are new ventures set up by ex-staff to continue some of the advice and training services provided by The Advisory Centre for Education.
Advice and information for parents is available via an adviceline and the popular My Child in School advice booklets are still available for download.
Amongst these is the pdf format leaflet 'Guide to parents' legal rights on school attendance' as it applies to England.
However, ACE Education Advice CIC & ACE Education Training LLP are new ventures set up by ex-staff to continue some of the advice and training services provided by The Advisory Centre for Education.
Advice and information for parents is available via an adviceline and the popular My Child in School advice booklets are still available for download.
Amongst these is the pdf format leaflet 'Guide to parents' legal rights on school attendance' as it applies to England.
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
Alternative resources
Keen to help anyone who needs support and advice, we think that some may find the Facebook environment suited to their needs.
Set up by Kay Mawson, who has appeared on UK TV, the site is closed, so offers some privacy, depending on users' privacy settings.
Kay is a mother of two children. She has experience of her son's condition but also of her daughter's... ADHD and her learning difficulties/troubles. She has a BSc Forensic Psychology Degree and MSc Forensic Psychology Degree. Currently she is working on a voluntary basis supporting offenders as well as supporting parents of school phobic children and pushing awareness.
The linked School Phobia, Refusal & Anxiety In Children website has some resources not covered here, and also offers a 'Guestbook' enabling parents and others to exchange views. There is also a link to Kay's TV appearance.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiarefusal
http://www.schoolrefusal.co.uk
Set up by Kay Mawson, who has appeared on UK TV, the site is closed, so offers some privacy, depending on users' privacy settings.
Kay is a mother of two children. She has experience of her son's condition but also of her daughter's... ADHD and her learning difficulties/troubles. She has a BSc Forensic Psychology Degree and MSc Forensic Psychology Degree. Currently she is working on a voluntary basis supporting offenders as well as supporting parents of school phobic children and pushing awareness.
The linked School Phobia, Refusal & Anxiety In Children website has some resources not covered here, and also offers a 'Guestbook' enabling parents and others to exchange views. There is also a link to Kay's TV appearance.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiarefusal
http://www.schoolrefusal.co.uk
Thursday, 1 August 2013
'School phobia' promotional video
Braodcast on Today Tonight, an Australia TV programme, on 1st August 2013
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