Possible answer to school attendance
POLICY documents can be written, research undertaken and surveys made, but at the end of the day those at the coal face are likely to know what is most urgently needed in any crisis.
If schools are not exactly in crisis, they are going through a time of huge disruption and change, and are undoubtedly having to respond to crises in their communities – spiralling mental health problems, anti-social behaviour and the rising cost of living among them.
Now one headteacher has shared his wish list of what would help address what he and many other heads believe to be the number one issue for schools right now – poor attendance and the multiple social and health reasons for that.
Without getting children into classrooms the Welsh Government can come up with as many reforms as it pleases, but such initiatives will not prove as effective as hoped. As schools are tasked with preparing for the new curriculum and reforms to ALN, the school day and year, most are also busy with day-to-day problems which impact heavily too.
Martin Hulland, headteacher of Cardiff West Community High, which serves some of the most disadvantaged areas of the city and Wales and where two in three children are eligible for free school meals, has come up with a plan.
If he could wave a magic wand he would like to have on site a mental health nurse, a social worker and a community police officer. They, along with a boosted number of family engagement officers, would liaise with pupils and their families and with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
As many teachers point out, no one can learn if they are hungry, scared, ill or unsafe. Social problems already present have been exacerbated by Covid. It is only by trying to address the causes of problems coming in to schools that schools can begin to help. This need not just come down to money – although that is essential. It could also be down to wiser use of funds swirling around the system. The public purse may be under pressure, but that is generally the best time to assess if what money there is is being put to best use on the best people or projects.
The new curriculum may, or may not, help with some of the issues made worse by Covid, but either way, it must not be seen as a panacea. Urgent issues which will affect the future chances of the next generation need addressing for the good of the future health and wealth of Wales.