The government has cracked down on truancy. But children say the causes of truancy need greater attention.
| My drama teacher couldnt control the class. I never learnt anything so there didnt seem any point in going. |
Not all truants are trying it on. Poor teaching and weak whole school co-ordination of homework are causing some otherwise committed students to take their learning into their own hands and unauthorised time off school.
Sarah, 17, is aiming for three A grades at A-level, but she routinely misses free periods, morning assemblies or whole days at an independent girls school. Truanting isnt something I do for fun, she says. Often we get lots of essays at the same time. The only way to get them all done to a high enough standard is to take an extra day. I didnt bunk during GCSEs. Its got worse during A-levels. My friends do the same.
Dropping a lost academic cause in order to better focus preparation on his remaining GCSEs was also part of a sensible strategy for Sean, 15: My drama teacher couldnt control the class. I never learnt anything so there didnt seem any point in going. It was a waste of time.
Having his teacher listen to his views eventually resolved the problem. He explained he found it difficult to stop two very disruptive pupils distracting everyone and arranged for them to leave the class. I get on with him really well now and Ive stopped avoiding his lessons.
Improved consultation was something the more wilful variety of truant valued too. Imran, 15, says he bunks several times each term because his teachers give him a hard time. He admits he makes life difficult for himself They tell me to do something and I do the complete opposite to wind them up.
But he maintains the fault lies in part with the school. Teachers should take more consideration of how pupils feel. If they dont like school, teachers need to know why they dont like it and how they can make it better.
Names have been changed.
About the team
This article was published by Rachel Bulford, 18, Senab Adekunle, 17, and Koiya Donovan, 13. It was published in Local Government Voice Solo.
