Parents ‘prioritise mental health over school attendance’, study finds

Nine in 10 British parents say their child’s mental health matters more than attending school, according to new survey findings commissioned by Bett.

Almost half of the two thousand parents questioned said they regularly allow their child to stay home if they feel too upset to go in, while a further 26% have done so once or twice. Of the 75% whose children have taken time off for mental health reasons, parents reported an average of six such days a year.

Some 70% said they see improvements in their child’s happiness and behaviour when allowed time and space away from school. The findings follow government plans to use artificial intelligence from next year to set minimum attendance targets in a renewed effort to address absence.

The research also found that visiting family members was the most common activity on these days, followed by sporting events and concerts. Some 11% said they had taken their child to the cinema instead of sending them to school. More than half were willing to book holidays during term time despite schools’ objections.

Almost a quarter believed missing school would have no long-term impact on their child’s life. More than half were unaware of Department for Education research indicating children who skip school are up to four times more likely to receive benefits in adulthood. Similar numbers did not know that pupils who miss school are statistically more likely to use drugs or commit crimes.

Meanwhile, 32% said they had become more relaxed about absence since the pandemic, while 55% noted that hybrid working makes it easier to supervise children who stay home. It also reported that 43% had been contacted by their child’s school about attendance.

Parents pointed to personalised learning, game-based teaching and fewer rules and regulations as measures that could support better attendance with 32% adding they would back a hybrid approach combining school and home learning.

Portfolio director Duncan Verry said: “The research paints a picture of parents who care deeply about their children’s wellbeing, sometimes prioritising mental health over perfect attendance records.

“The challenge is not simply about returning to pre-pandemic norms but about creating educational environments where all children want to be. By understanding these perspectives, we can work towards solutions that serve children’s long-term educational outcomes while respecting the genuine concerns of families navigating increasingly complex circumstances.”