Even allowing for post-pandemic mental illness keeping more pupils from school, Amanda Spielman's final Ofsted report, published last week, finds that in England far too many children are missing school far too often, with parents less likely to back schools over discipline, rules and uniform, but more likely to complain.
That children are alienated from education is no surprise when schools are stunted by examification and a rigid, overstuffed curriculum offering so much less to spark their enthusiasm. Art, music, dance and drama have been cut and 23% of arts teachers in England shed, so 40% fewer pupils take GCSE arts subjects than in 2010: children are less likely ever to sing in a choir or play in an orchestra.
Overburdened teachers have less time for out-of-school clubs and plays, with school trips rarer, and exams and Progress 8 scores (for added attainment) driving out all else.
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