The mother of a schoolboy who was tragically killed has responded to the call from the Education Secretary for parents to take responsibility in ensuring their children attend school.
Caroline Willgoose, aged 51, whose son Harvey Willgoose was fatally stabbed at school, expressed that the education secretary should focus on understanding why some children are reluctant to attend school rather than solely pressuring parents to enforce attendance.
Harvey, who had a passion for football but struggled with attending school, was fatally stabbed at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield earlier this year.
Following a court ruling where a 15-year-old student was found guilty of Harvey’s murder, Caroline shared her insights into Harvey’s struggles with school attendance due to anxiety and feeling misunderstood.
Caroline emphasized that schools should provide better support to help children return to the classroom, rather than escalating pressure on parents, indicating that the real issue lies in children feeling unsupported and misunderstood.
In response to the attendance challenges faced by schools, the Department for Education introduced a support package aimed at addressing behavior and attendance issues in schools nationwide.
The government’s initiative, part of the Plan for Change mission, aims to improve educational outcomes by addressing disparities in background and success through targeted interventions in schools.
Despite improvements in attendance following the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges persist, prompting the Education Secretary to call for increased collaboration between parents, schools, and families to ensure children are engaged and prepared for learning.
As part of the efforts to enhance attendance and behavior in schools, 800 schools catering to around 600,000 students will benefit from the new RISE Attendance and Behavior Hubs resources.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson urged collective action from parents, schools, and families to support children’s education, emphasizing the importance of strong leadership, consistent attendance, and solidarity between schools and families.
Caroline shared Harvey’s struggles as a “school avoider” who faced anxiety and panic attacks, highlighting the need for a more supportive approach to address children’s concerns about attending school.
She stressed the importance of listening to children and parents to understand the underlying reasons for school avoidance, advocating for a supportive rather than punitive approach to address the issue.
The Department of Education has been contacted for further comments on the matter.
