This sharp rise in absence is closely linked to the UK’s growing crisis in young people’s wellbeing. Without a sense of belonging and support, many children disengage, making reintegration even harder. 

Recent government research found that for a typical student, each additional day of absence between Years 7 and 11 is associated with an estimated £7,505 loss in future earnings, highlighting the long-term impact of low attendance.

The webinar  

We attended Pro Bono Economics’ webinar, The Tangled Web: Low Wellbeing, Poor Belonging, and School Avoidance. Pro Bono Economics, who support us with our impact report and assessing our economic impact, use economic analysis and insights to improve wellbeing. 

Through discussions on wellbeing, school avoidance, and tailored interventions like Power2 Rediscover and Artis, the webinar provided crucial insights into how we can better support struggling children.  

Key takeaways 

A wellbeing crisis 

School absence is partly driven by the UK’s crisis in young people’s wellbeing. One in four (25%) 15-year-olds report low wellbeing, rising to 34% among those who have skipped class and 42% for those who feel they don’t belong at school. 

A tangled web  

Absence from school isn’t driven by a single factor but rather a complex mix of issues, including bullying, budget cuts that limit school support, shifting post-Covid attitudes toward staying home, the cost of living crisis, inadequate access to mental and physical healthcare services, unmet special educational needs, family instability, lack of transport access, and disengagement from the curriculum. 

Punitive measures are not the solution  

Tougher penalties for parents won’t solve this crisis. Instead, a compassionate, multi-dimensional approach is needed to rebuild trust in education, foster belonging and address the root causes of disengagement.  

The power of belonging 

The BeWell project, run by The University of Manchester, the Anna Freud Centre, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, found that school belonging is the strongest predictor of later wellbeing. Research consistently shows that when children feel connected to their school through friendships, supportive teachers, and an inclusive environment, they are more engaged, motivated, and successful academically, and therefore likely to attend school.  

How Artis impacts wellbeing  

While one-on-one mentoring programmes like Power2Discover play a vital role in direct intervention, another powerful way to boost wellbeing and school engagement is through creative education, which fosters teamwork, imaginative thinking, kinaesthetic learning, expressive and immersive play. 

Exposure to a high-quality arts programme early in life has been shown to improve not only creativity but also academic achievement, social skills and developing vocabulary. 

However, the increasing focus on core subjects and squeezed school budgets have resulted in underinvestment in arts education, with many primary schools deprioritising the delivery of an arts-rich curriculum. In response, Artis works to bridge this gap by providing primary schools with a weekly, curriculum-linked arts programme for pupils. 

• Artis is inclusive. We create a welcoming environment where every child—regardless of background or ability—feels valued and connected to their school community. 

• Artis fosters confidence and self-expression. In our non-judgemental, supportive spaces, children feel safe to express themselves, build confidence, and form meaningful connections. 

• Artis adapts to different learning styles. Through music, movement, and drama, we engage children in ways that suit their individual strengths. 

• Artis encourages teamwork and collaboration. Through shared creative experiences, children develop social skills, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging. 
• Artis promotes kinaesthetic learning. Using movement and hands-on activities, we make learning more engaging, accessible, and enjoyable, re-energising children.  

Economic impact of Artis  

Investing in Artis not only benefits children’s wellbeing but also yields long-term economic gains. Our research shows: 

• Children who initially demonstrated high levels of difficulty saw significant improvements in their socio-emotional outcomes by the end of the programme, beyond natural improvements over time.  

• If sustained, these improvements could yield a long-term economic benefit of £2,300 per child, reducing truancy, exclusions, crime, smoking, and improving mental health and future earnings. 

• With an annual cost of £72 per child, the programme offers a potential £32 return for every £1 invested. A nationwide roll-out of the Artis programme across the 20% most deprived areas of England could result in a potential lifetime benefit of up to £3.3 billion annually. 

Conclusion 

It is clear that school is not just a place of learning but a crucial touchpoint for intervention, where young people can build resilience, life skills, and confidence. 

The UK must invest in cost-effective and well-evidenced solutions to address the growing children’s wellbeing crisis. To make lasting change, it is essential that the country continues to build systems that ensure children who are struggling receive the support they need from organisations that are best equipped to engage with and understand them.  

Programmes like Power2Discover and Artis demonstrate that there are cost-effective, high-impact solutions to the UK’s wellbeing crisis. Prioritising proven interventions ensures every child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. The time to act is now. 

If your school is looking to bring more creativity to your curriculum, we would love to work with you to make it happen. Let’s together shape a thriving society by nurturing creativity in every child, everywhere. Contact us today.

Photo credit: Cecelina Tornberg