Thousands of teenagers are missing significant portions of their education "under the radar," according to a report from the Children's Commissioner for England. These students are enrolled in college but are persistently absent, a situation that evades official statistics.
Liam Sloan, principal at Bolton College, noted that while few students miss more than half of their classes, those who are absent often grapple with mental health issues or are employed in part-time jobs. "Sometimes the student being able to be offered that £30 shift there and then means more... than the potential qualification in six or seven months' time," Sloan said.
The issue is particularly pronounced in English and maths GCSE classes, subjects that students in England are required to continue studying if they have not achieved a grade 4 or above. Attendance rates at Bolton College have improved in recent years, and the institution has implemented full-time "positive engagement officers" to greet students daily and contact those who are absent.
The report from Dame Rachel, the Children's Commissioner for England, includes recommendations for the government. These include establishing targets for attendance data for 16- and 17-year-olds, accelerating the rollout of mental health support teams in colleges, improving work experience opportunities, and introducing free bus travel for children.
According to data from the Office for National Statistics, approximately one in eight individuals aged 16 to 24 are classified as not in education, employment, or training (NEET). A previous report by former minister Alan Milburn warned that this figure could rise to one in six within five years, potentially creating a "lost generation."
Dame Rachel's report defines "hidden" NEETs as those enrolled in an educational institution but persistently absent, while Milburn's interim report used the term for those who are NEET and not claiming benefits, making them harder to reach.
Cath Sezen, director of education policy at the Association of Colleges, expressed agreement with many of the report's recommendations but pointed to "funding pressures [that were] limiting colleges' ability to provide tailored support." She called for increased investment, better integration of support services, and a stronger national strategy for employer engagement.
The Department for Education (DfE) stated that students in further education should be prioritized in future reforms aimed at addressing the NEET crisis. A spokesperson also mentioned the introduction of a new stepping-stone qualification to reduce the rate of students failing and resitting GCSE maths and English. The government plans to track attendance in colleges and expedite the deployment of mental health support teams.