This information guide addresses school avoidance and offers some top tips for helping children and young people to overcome their anxiety – What You Need to Know about School Avoidance

School avoidance is a sharply increasing phenomenon, with tangible negative effects on children’s wellbeing and education. The factors that come together to make a child consciously avoid seeing their classmates and teachers can be much more complicated than is often assumed. A careful, mindful approach from parents, carers and educators is required to help children return to an environment that may be causing them intense anxiety. 

Our guide aims to help you understand the issue of school avoidance – not only its potential roots and ramifications, but also what you can do to help children and young people navigate these obstacles and continue their education.

 

Sources 

Pellegrini, School non‐attendance: definitions, meanings, responses, interventions, 2007 

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02667360601154691 

Gregory and Purcell, Out of school: a phenomenological exploration of extended non-attendance, 2014 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282446577_Out_of_school_a_phenomenological_exploration_of_extended_non-attendance 

Hughes, E K, Gullone, E, Dudley, A and Tonge, B (2010). A case-control study of emotion regulation and school refusal in children and adolescents; Journal of Early Adolescence, 30, 691–706., 2010 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237067765_Hughes_EK_Gullone_E_Dudley_A_Tonge_B_2010_A_case-control_study_of_emotion_regulation_and_school_refusal_in_children_and_adolescents_Journal_of_Early_Adolescence_30_691-706 

Lyon and Cotler, Toward reduced bias and increased utility in the assessment of school refusal behaviour: The case for diverse samples and evaluations of context, 2007 

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/pits.20247 

Children’s Commissioner, Attendance is everyone’s business, 2023 

https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/resource/attendance-is-everyones-business/

This guide offers compassionate, practical advice for helping children cope with traumatic or challenging events – such as bereavement, bullying, or family upheaval – and begin the healing process.

When children and young people experience traumatic or difficult life events, their emotional world can be shaken, and the impact may show up in their behaviour, mood, or relationships. Whether it’s bereavement, a family breakdown or witnessing something distressing, the support of trusted adults can be key in helping them feel safe again. This guide looks at how to create a nurturing environment to help young people process difficult feelings. 

It also shares clear, actionable strategies to promote recovery – from building emotional literacy and creating a predictable routine to recognising signs that further help may be needed. Sensitive language, patience, and presence all play a part in empowering children to move forward at their own pace. With the right support, they can rebuild a sense of security and resilience.

Top Tips for Dealing with Traumatic and Challenging Events

 

This Wake up Wednesday guide explores the issue of youth violence – what causes it, where and when it often occurs, and how adults can help keep young people safe and informed.

What You Need to Know: Youth Violence | Free E-Guide

Whitcliffe Mount Academy are delighted to warmly invite you to attend our Year 5 & 6 Open Evening on Wednesday 1st October 2025. At Whitcliffe Mount, we understand the significance of selecting the right school for each and every chil

Please find attached the latest edition of our Mental Health & Wellbeing newsletter. 

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