Challenges outside school gates impacting thousands of pupils across Essex
New research shows teachers across the East of England are also stepping in for overburdened health and social care system.
A new survey of teachers across the East of England reveals 31% of the region’s pupils are facing barriers to their education because of issues outside of school.
New research from Action for Children reveals around 320,000 pupils across the East of England are falling behind their peers because of a lack of support.
Local teachers reported the most common barriers to education include living in an unstable family environment (62%), behavioural or emotional issues (61%), mental health challenges (56%) and poor attendance (43%).
Poverty (33%) was also a significant barrier to education identified by teachers working in the region.
Just 2% of the region’s teachers polled believe pupils facing challenges will reach their expected grades by the end of this academic year.
When asked about the attainment levels of their students experiencing these challenges, just 2% of teachers polled in the East of England believed they will reach their expected grades by the end of the academic year.
Teachers are also finding themselves as the first port of call for parents who don’t know where else to go to get help.
Murray Sackwild, National Education Union Essex Branch Secretary, says there aren’t enough resources in schools - teachers are having to go beyond their remit to provide emotional support, or essentials like food and clothing.
He said: “In a lot of schools, because the pressure and the lack of teachers, they don't have a lot of time to dedicate to those students. Yet, a person who works in the school, whether they're a teacher or supporting staff, will provide that support because they are dedicated to young people.
“Knowing that young people are in crisis, and there are often things they just can't do because they haven't got time, they haven't got capacity, sometimes they haven't even got the know, can be very damaging for people. This has led to more issues for teachers and for support staff, especially on the pastoral side.”
Action for Children calls for greater central government funding for early help services and a legal requirement for councils to provide them.
Amanda Taylor, Action for Children’s operational director for the East of England, said: “Schools alone cannot tackle issues such as the growing attainment gap or attendance crisis. Action for Children’s frontline workers support families every day and our Education Fund has provided 10,000 grants to help families pay for school essentials, allowing children to focus on what’s important and feel more confident in school.”
The government says it's trying to help by increasing pupil premium funding and spending a billion pounds on a National Tutoring Programme.