By Dr Richard Anderson
Pull quote: “School refusal is a complex and deeply emotional issue, often misunderstood as a choice by the child to avoid school. In reality, it is typically driven by anxiety, fear, and overwhelming feelings of distress”
School refusal is when a child displays intense anxiety at the prospect of going to school and therefore regularly refuses to attend or has problems with staying at school once there. It is also often called school avoidance or school phobia and can range from attending school with morning resistance to being completely absent from school for extended periods.
Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning & Development at High Speed Training, said: “School refusal is a complex and deeply emotional issue, often misunderstood as a choice by the child to avoid school. In reality, it is typically driven by anxiety, fear, and overwhelming feelings of distress, making the thought of attending school unbearable for some children. It’s crucial to recognise that this is not about defiance or avoidance for the sake of it, but rather an emotional response to real challenges they are facing.
“Schools can be stressful and scary places for children, especially when moving to a new school, starting a new year or joining a new class. By approaching any concerns with empathy, understanding and practical support, both parents and educators can help children manage their anxieties, rebuild their confidence, and create positive learning experiences.
Potential causes of School Refusal
- Bullying – Six out of ten children who struggle with school refusal have experienced bullying at school. Bullying can be a highly traumatic experience for children and thus is likely to cause increased distress for children around attending school.
- Separation Anxiety – Separation anxiety in children is the experience of getting anxious or distressed when separated from their parent or primary caregiver.
- Mental Health – For children suffering from any form of anxiety, the anticipation of school can cause an increase in their anxiety or panic attacks, making the classroom an unbearable source of distress. For those with depression, their symptoms of low mood, hopelessness, and fatigue can remove any motivation needed to attend school and engage in learning.
- SEND – Children may experience anxiety around going to school, and therefore refuse to attend, due to finding it difficult to thrive academically and learning differently to others in their class. This is especially the case in children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Signs of School Anxiety
Possible symptoms of school anxiety in young children, particularly those of 10 or under, may include:
- Irritability, tantrums, excessive crying, or screaming, particularly when being left at school.
- Refusal to get ready for school in the morning.
- Loss of appetite or feeling sick as the time to go to school draws near.
- Nightmares or difficulty sleeping.
- Shortness of breath or panic attacks.
In older children, whilst some of the symptoms above may still be present, you may also observe any of the following signs of school anxiety:
- Truancy or absence from class.
- Refusal to participate in school activities.
- Self-harm.
How to Help a Child with School Anxiety and How to Deal with School Refusal
Young people can find it hard to explain exactly what is causing their feelings, so it can be helpful to use the School Refusal Assessment Scale to assess what is causing the problem and then inform your interventions.
Support Strategies for the Classroom
- Flexible start times – Children who struggle with the school drop-off may find it helpful to arrive at school 10 minutes early and have a safe space where they can sit at the beginning of the day.
- Structuring the school day – A visual timetable can provide a reassuring structure for children who find the school day overwhelming. Similarly, having a ‘now, next, then’ card for younger children can help them to visualise the day in smaller steps, making it seem less anxiety inducing.
- Engagement and support – Extra-curricular activities provide extra structure to the day and allow good opportunities for children to meet like-minded peers. Linking the child with a mentor or a buddy, particularly if they’re younger, can be a beneficial way to help a child feel there’s someone at school who cares for them, thereby reducing their anxieties caused by isolation. Also, being given particular responsibilities, such as handing out stationary, can help a child to feel more involved in the classroom.
Support Strategies for the Home
- Create a morning routine or timetable – Making sure your child follows the same morning routine each day can provide a sense of security and reduce stress in the lead up to school.
- Encourage your child to take part in relaxing activities – Taking time to mentally prepare and reduce stress before school, and to unwind afterwards, can be important to keeping a child’s school anxiety at a manageable level.
- Recognise small achievements – Reassuring your child and celebrating achievements can go a long way in building their confidence enough to feel able to attend school. Small successes such as getting to school on time or handing in their homework should be noticed and acknowledged.
- Remove any pressure – Trying to manage anxiety is not a linear process, and some days will be better than others. Pressuring your child to perform when they don’t feel able to can actually do more harm than good, so it’s best to take each day as it comes.
Dr Anderson continues: “A child’s happiness and wellbeing at school can be affected by so many different factors, so it can be a challenge to ensure that they are truly benefiting from their school experience. One thing we do know is that children are far more likely to benefit from education if they feel safe, comfortable and engaged, so it’s really important to address any concerns and ensure that they are getting the most out of their education.
For more on this topic visit: www.highspeedtraining.co.uk
