Study reveals 11.5 million days lost in school, calls for policy reforms

A new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research highlights a significant rise in lost learning days among students, with 11.5 million days recorded in the autumn term of 2023, up from 6.8 million in 2019. The report identifies issues such as suspensions, exclusions, and children moving to home education as contributing factors to this crisis. It calls for scrutiny of schools that do not reflect their local communities and recommends banning such institutions from expanding. Additionally, the report outlines 10 policy solutions aimed at addressing lost learning, including improved monitoring of pupil movements and greater transparency regarding school demographics. The findings stress the urgent need for systemic reforms to support the most vulnerable students and reverse the trend of lost educational opportunities. The report emphasizes that the education system is failing those who need it most, leading to broader societal issues.