Thousands of teens missing education ‘under the radar’, report warns
By Hazel Shearing, BBC Education Correspondent
There could be tens of thousands more teenagers who are not in education, employment or training (Neet) than official statistics suggest, the children’s commissioner has warned.
A report by Dame Rachel de Souza said around 42,000 16- and 17-year-olds were officially classed as studying at college but were not showing up at least half of the time. She described them as having "gone under the radar" and "not getting the support that they need".
The Department for Education (DfE) said it planned to help colleges track attendance and ultimately gather that data centrally. Unlike schools, further education and sixth form colleges in England are not required to collect or report attendance data.
Dame Rachel’s report, based on attendance data from 262 college groups across England, found rates are "substantially lower" than in schools. It suggests more than half (52.2%) of 16- and 17-year-olds are persistently absent by school standards, meaning they miss 10% or more of college sessions. Around 42,000 (5.9%) are severely absent, meaning they miss at least half of their college sessions.
The DfE estimates that 57,000 16- and 17-year-olds in England are Neet, and Dame Rachel’s report argues that these persistently absent teenagers should be considered as "hidden" Neets alongside them.
She told the BBC a range of factors led to teenagers missing college, including part-time work and travel costs, and some had been largely absent since the Covid pandemic. While those juggling part-time employment might miss college occasionally, it was those who are "far more vulnerable" who are likely to be severely absent, she said. She described it as "shocking" that the DfE does not collect this data, leaving the issue "ignored".
Liam Sloan, principal at Bolton College, said while few students miss more than half of their classes, those who are absent often have mental health challenges or 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," he noted.
Dame Rachel recommended:
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Collecting and setting targets for attendance data for 16- and 17-year-olds
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"Expediting" the rollout of mental health support teams in colleges
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Improving work experience
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Introducing free bus travel for children
