More than 100 Blackpool children 'not receiving an education'

Some Blackpool parents are seeking permission to teach their children at home in order to avoid being prosecuted for not sending youngsters to school.
The scrutiny raised concerns about pupils not attending classesThe scrutiny raised concerns about pupils not attending classes
The scrutiny raised concerns about pupils not attending classes

The incidents came to light as part of an investigation into why around a 100 children in the resort at any one time are not receiving any education.

Blackpool Council’s children and young people’s scrutiny committee is now recommending schools and academies make it clear to parents they will pursue court action even if a request for home schooling is made.

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A scrutiny report into inclusion in education, which made eight recommendations overall, said some parents “submitted notification of EHE (elective home education) in order to avoid further court proceedings and possible penalties” for pupils’ non-attendance at school.

The report sets out concerns about the number of children being educated at home as national rules mean “parents do not need to be qualified teachers to home educate, and there is no requirement to teach the national curriculum, match age-specific standards or observe schools hours, days or terms.”

In November last year the council’s audit committee was told around 300 children in Blackpool receive home schooling, which is more than twice the national average.

Coun Jo Farrell, told the council’s executive, which agreed the recommendations of the report, the scrutiny had come about due to concerns about the number of pupils missing from the classroom.

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She said: “The reason we had this review was it became apparent at the committee meetings that there were over 100 children not in education whatsoever.

“And as we reviewed it, it became apparent if they were expelled from one school in in-year admissions, there were reasons why some schools wouldn’t accept them.”

The scrutiny found a significant number of pupils change schools throughout the academic year, which disrupts their education.

Among its recommendations is that earlier intervention takes place with parents to reduce the number of requests to change schools.

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The executive heard all eight of Blackpool’s secondary schools are now run as academies, meaning the council had no jurisdiction to force its recommendations on them.

But head of children’s services Diane Booth said relations were now stronger between the council and the academies who would work together “on the issues identified by the scrutiny”.

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