CYP Now - Poor access to dentists, nurseries and clean air prompts drop in pupil attendance, report warns

Lack of access to early years education, dentists and ventilated classrooms are causing a fall in attendance among disadvantaged pupils in the North of England, a parliamentary report is warning.

Air quality and access to dental care are among issues impacting school attendance, according to MPs. Picture: Monkey Business/Adobe Stock

The report, prepared by academics for the Child of the North All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), has found a raft of links between education and health inequality and poor attendance rates in schools across the North of England, based on analysis of available evidence and interviews with children’s professionals.

It found that children living in poverty, from ethnic minorities and with special educational needs are more likely to suffer from tooth decay, which is impacting children’s quality of life and causing “disrupted routines including school attendance”.

The worst affected region in England is the North West, where 39 per cent of five years olds have had tooth decay, amid warnings from MPs that nationwide “NHS dentistry is facing a crisis of access”.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included