Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS)

Understanding School Refusal

In last week’s newsletter, we shared information about entering your child’s absences on Compass. We understand that there will be times when your child is unable to attend school, and keeping the school informed helps us to understand their circumstances and provide the right support.

For some children, coming to school can feel overwhelming. School refusal is when a child experiences significant difficulty attending school, often due to worries, anxiety, big emotions, or feeling unable to manage the school day. 

As parents and carers, we can find it incredibly challenging to see our child upset or worried about coming to school. Offering calm reassurance, maintaining predictable routines and working closely with the school can help your child feel safe and supported. Small steps towards regular attendance can make a big difference, and every positive step is worth celebrating.

If your child is finding school attendance difficult, please don’t feel that you have to navigate this alone. Early intervention and support can make such a difference. If you have any concerns about your child's attendance, please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher or a member of our Wellbeing Team so we can work together to understand what may be contributing to their concerns and develop strategies to help them feel more confident about coming to school.

Please remember, we are always here to listen, support and work with you and your family. 

Take care and have a wonderful weekend.