Ofsted Warns of Rising 'Unorthodox' Schooling and Persistent Absenteeism Post-Pandemic

The education watchdog highlights concerns over part-time timetables, flexi-schooling, and declining attendance rates, especially among vulnerable students.

Ofsted's annual report reveals a growing trend of 'unorthodox' schooling, including part-time timetables and flexi-schooling, with an estimated 34,000 children on part-time schedules.
School attendance issues have worsened since the pandemic, with nearly 20% of pupils persistently absent in the 2023/24 academic year, up from 10.5% pre-pandemic.
Parents working from home are cited as a factor in rising absenteeism, with Fridays showing the highest rates of non-attendance.
Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) increasingly receive hybrid education models, straining resources and highlighting systemic challenges in meeting demand.
The report underscores recruitment struggles in education and social care, impacting vulnerable children and contributing to 'fractured and fragmented' education outcomes.