Wellbeing & Culture

School Refusal

There can be numerous school, personal and family reasons as to why the student may be school refusing. School refusal can be something that only happens minimally; for example only for a few days at the start of the new school term or it could have a higher impact like refusing to go to school for months. We have attached some information below but if you feel that you need more information or assistance please feel free to reach out to Cheyenne or Kelly in the Wellbeing Team for help.

What is school refusal?

School refusal is when children get extremely upset at the idea of going to school and often miss some or all of the school day. This distress doesn’t go away.

School refusal can mean that children have trouble going to school or trouble leaving home, so they might not go to school at all. Children who refuse to go to school usually spend the day at home with their parents’ knowledge, even though their parents try hard to get them to go.

Signs of school refusal

If your child refuses to go to school, you might feel that school nights and mornings are a ‘battle of wills’. Your child might:

• cry, throw tantrums, yell or scream.
• hide or lock themselves in their room.
• refuse to move.
• beg or plead not to go.
• complain of aches, pains and illness before school, which generally get better if you let your child stay at home.
• show high levels of anxiety.
• have trouble sleeping.
• threaten to hurt themselves. 

(Source: Raising Children’s Network)

Strategies

• Encourage friendships outside of school
• Chat to the teacher to ensure that your child does not get behind in school work as this could be part of the anxiety to return to school. Reassure them they are not and everything will be ok.
• Make it really boring at home, no technology or fun activities. Don’t necessarily withhold the technology completely, just keep it to after school hours when they would normally use it and not when they would be at school. 

Strategies to get them to school

• Mindful walks
• Fidget toys for the student to have in school whilst nervous
• Consistent routines before school
• Incorporate calming activities before school
• Inform your school/teacher so that they are fully aware and can assist you with your child

A really helpful link is the Raising Children's Network, which I encourage you to read if you want more information.

Kelly Goodgame – On behalf of the Wellbeing and Culture Team