The huge rise in children being home schooled in one part of Wales
'Sometimes parents don't understand the effect of children not being around other children or seen in school,' said one expert
Stock image of schoolgirls
(Image: PA)
The number of parents schooling their children at home has surged in one Welsh county over recent years. Figures from Powys council show 409 youths are being home-schooled — up from 154 before the Covid pandemic.
The issue came up as councillors discussed an assurance report into children's services, which followed up on a scathing Care Inspectorate Wales report from 2017 which revealed missed opportunities to safeguard children, poor risk assessment and serious performance issues. The new report was much more positive, finding the department had an "experienced and stable leadership team". Powys isn't the only council seeing a rise.
But it did draw attention to one of the 'challenges' faced by Powys social workers since the pandemic — the increasing number of families home-educating their children. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newslette.
Report writer Stephen Walker, a social services director at Leeds council, told Powys council's health and care scrutiny committee that it was 'not about' the rights or wrongs of children being educated at home.
The issue, he said, is whether children's services are in a position to provide help if needed.
Mr Walker added: 'There are national issues because we have no right to access, as children's services, to see children being educated at home.'
He said some parents may have been 'persuaded' to take their child out of school because of difficult behaviour.
This could be because they are 'reducing the overall achievement' of a school and educating them at home is "better" than for the child to be excluded, which would go on their official school record.
Mr Walker went on: 'Sometimes parents don't understand the effect of children not being around other children or seen in school.'
Article continues below
Committee chairwoman, Conservative councillor Amanda Jenner said: "I think this is something we need to think about and potentially pick up with the education scrutiny committee as this ties in with the fact that school attendance since Covid-19 is a lot lower."
The home-schooling figure of 409 is up from around 300 in June 2023, and 154 before the coronavirus pandemic.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Wales Online
Hydrangeas will grow better flowers if you do one simple task in August
Hydrangeas will grow better flowers if you do one simple task in August Hydrangeas are hardy plants that do not need much care, but there is one simple gardening task that can ensure they continue to bloom beautifully for much longer Hydrangeas will grow even perkier flowers if one simple task is done in August (Image: Getty) Hydrangeas, robust as they are, typically require minimal maintenance, yet there's one thing they need for their delicate root systems - ample moisture. As rain is something Wales is currently lacking, one straightforward gardening chore can really help. Despite regular watering, hydrangeas can suffer in extreme heat, leading to wilting, underdeveloped blooms, or even halted growth. However, Skye Hamilton, affectionately dubbed the Hydrangea Queen and founder of Hamilton House Designs, has divulged a tip for safeguarding your hydrangeas. She explained: "Mulching hydrangeas is super beneficial for retaining moisture, retaining nutrients, and feeding the soil. Hydrangeas have wide, shallow roots, so finding the right mulch is very important." The practice of mulching involves covering the soil around plants with a protective layer to shield them from the elements, particularly useful in summer to conserve soil moisture. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here A good mulch layer acts as a barrier against evaporation and also insulates the plant's roots, keeping them cool regardless of the soaring temperatures, reports the Express. This technique not only keeps hydrangeas looking vibrant and encourages flowering during intense heat but also prevents weeds from encroaching, reducing the need for additional gardening tasks. How to mulch hydrangeas in August Mulching is simple but helps the soil retain moisture to keep hydrangeas hydrated (Image: Getty) It's advisable to utilise a natural mulch known for its water-retention properties, such as pine, cedar, bark chips, pine straw or leaf mulch. These types of mulch not only keep hydrangeas hydrated but also decompose slowly, providing the plant with additional nutrients. Distribute a thin layer (approximately two to four inches thick) around a hydrangea plant, taking care not to overdo it or create piles. Hydrangeas require ample moisture in August, but an excess can lead to stagnant water in the soil, which may attract pests and diseases. After applying the mulch, give the hydrangea a thorough watering. Article continues below This should enable it to flourish and produce large, fluffy flowers throughout August, rather than merely struggling to survive as it typically would.
Wales Online
10 hours ago
- Wales Online
The huge rise in children being home schooled in one part of Wales
The huge rise in children being home schooled in one part of Wales 'Sometimes parents don't understand the effect of children not being around other children or seen in school,' said one expert Stock image of schoolgirls (Image: PA) The number of parents schooling their children at home has surged in one Welsh county over recent years. Figures from Powys council show 409 youths are being home-schooled — up from 154 before the Covid pandemic. The issue came up as councillors discussed an assurance report into children's services, which followed up on a scathing Care Inspectorate Wales report from 2017 which revealed missed opportunities to safeguard children, poor risk assessment and serious performance issues. The new report was much more positive, finding the department had an "experienced and stable leadership team". Powys isn't the only council seeing a rise. But it did draw attention to one of the 'challenges' faced by Powys social workers since the pandemic — the increasing number of families home-educating their children. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newslette. Report writer Stephen Walker, a social services director at Leeds council, told Powys council's health and care scrutiny committee that it was 'not about' the rights or wrongs of children being educated at home. The issue, he said, is whether children's services are in a position to provide help if needed. Mr Walker added: 'There are national issues because we have no right to access, as children's services, to see children being educated at home.' He said some parents may have been 'persuaded' to take their child out of school because of difficult behaviour. This could be because they are 'reducing the overall achievement' of a school and educating them at home is "better" than for the child to be excluded, which would go on their official school record. Mr Walker went on: 'Sometimes parents don't understand the effect of children not being around other children or seen in school.' Article continues below Committee chairwoman, Conservative councillor Amanda Jenner said: "I think this is something we need to think about and potentially pick up with the education scrutiny committee as this ties in with the fact that school attendance since Covid-19 is a lot lower." The home-schooling figure of 409 is up from around 300 in June 2023, and 154 before the coronavirus pandemic.
North Wales Live
11 hours ago
- North Wales Live
New rules for commuting as people say it puts them off going to office
Commuters who sneeze and cough without covering their faces have been named as among the bad habits that fellow passengers hate most. Talking loudly on the phone, playing loud music and putting feet on seats were other bad habits that most annoy fellow passengers, according to the survey. Research by tombola asked what annoys people when travelling to and from work and whether this plays a part in them wanting to be in the office. Chewing loudly and not respecting someone's personal space by sitting next to them when there are other seats are other examples of poor etiquette that gets up workers' noses. The number one gripe is people speaking loudly on the phone, with almost half (42%) of working Brits regarding this as the most infuriating thing that can happen on a commute. The second big no-no, at 39%, is when people play music out loud, a trend also known among younger generations as 'bare beating'. The third cardinal commuting sin for more than a third (34%) of people is when folk sneeze or cough without covering their face. Other poor etiquette includes people having their feet on the seats (29%), chewing loudly (24%) and anti-social behaviour (22%) With the average commute to work taking 27 minutes, there's plenty of time to experience this frustrating behaviour. More than half (51%) of all British commuters will experience a pet peeve at least once a week. A further quarter (24%) claiming they must endure them on multiple occasions a week. Around a third (31%) of commuting Brits would react by merely sitting there in silence, but simmering silently with anger. However, one in ten (10%), who aren't as relaxed, say they would confront the person demanding an explanation for their poor behaviour. Putting the shoe on the other foot, a shocking one in five (20%) questioned admitted to committing one of these pet peeves themselves while on their way to work. British working habits are constantly evolving to adapt to the changing demands of work-life pressures. The survey revealed that only 7% of working Brits have never commuted to work, meaning the majority will be exposed to these grumbles at some point in their career. But since Covid, most working Brits have adopted a 'hybrid' policy, with a quarter (25%) saying they commute less than once a week. For those who do commute, half (50%) say they take the train, with the average train journey taking 63 minutes. More than a third of commuters (36%) say they take other forms of rail such as the tube or tram to get to work, while one in ten (10%) spend at least £50 a week commuting by car. Those working in agriculture are the biggest offenders of commuting pet peeves, with three in five (59%) saying they have committed a pet peeve, much greater than the national average of one in five (20%). On the other hand, retail workers are the most unlikely to commit a commuting pet peeve, with around one in nine (11%) claiming they have. According to the study, marketing professionals experience these the least, with two-thirds claiming they commute less than once a week, less than any other industry. Laura Akano, Etiquette Expert at Polished Manners, said: "When travelling to work it's important to remember that public transport is a shared space - not an extension of your own home. "Good etiquette goes a long way to ensure a smoother, more pleasant journey for everyone. Some of the golden rules of etiquette when using public transport are to avoid sitting on priority seats, always have your ticket ready and keep your bags and feet off the seats. "Don't bring or eat food with strong smells, as the smell will linger and make the environment uncomfortable for other passengers, and if eating food try to do it as respectfully as possible. If someone is being inconsiderate on your commute, make sure to use discretion. "It's okay to politely ask someone to move their bag if it's on a seat but for more serious issues it's safer to alert staff members. If possible, move to another carriage or wait for the next transport to arrive. "Poor commuting etiquette can have a bigger impact than people realise - it can leave passengers feeling stressed, irritable or emotionally drained. For some, if the experience is so unpleasant, they will begin to avoid public transport altogether to protect their general wellbeing, fostering a 'work from home' culture." Samantha Wilcox, Organic Manager at tombola, said: "Our research focuses on the everyday frustrations of commuting, shining a light on some of the nation's biggest pet peeves. Your morning sets the tone for the entire day and the commute to work can significantly influence how the rest of the day unfolds. "By highlighting what British workers find frustrating, we're hoping to make it a more pleasant journey for everyone, with a healthy dose of humour thrown in. Because, let's face it, commuting could do with a bit more politeness here and there." UK'S TOP 10 BIGGEST COMMUTING PET PEEVES 1. Speaking loudly on the phone - 42% 2. Playing music out loud - 39% 3. Sneezing/coughing without covering your face - 34% 4. Feet on seats - 29% 5. Eating/chewing loudly - 24% 6. Anti-social behaviour - 22% 7. Sitting next to someone even when there are other seats available (lack of personal space) - 20% 8. Leaving rubbish behind - 18% 9. Not waiting in turn - 17% 10. Eating pungent food - 14% TOP FIVE 'OFFENDING INDUSTRIES' OF COMMUTER PET PEEVES 1. Agriculture - 59% 2. Tech - 34% 3. Art - 33% 4. Construction - 31% 5. Food - 27%
