At Croft Community School, we understand that some students face significant challenges when it comes to attending school due to emotional factors. Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) is a common issue that affects many young people, making it difficult for them to attend school regularly or engage fully with their learning.

EBSA is more than just a dislike of school—it often stems from anxiety, fear, or other emotional barriers that prevent a child from feeling comfortable or safe in the school environment. These emotional challenges can manifest in various ways, such as avoiding certain lessons, social situations, or struggling with attending school altogether. Our Anxious About School Pathway is designed to support students who face these challenges, helping them gradually return to school life in a way that feels safe and manageable for them.

Our pathway is a personalised, step-by-step approach to supporting students who are struggling with anxiety or emotional barriers related to school attendance. We work closely with both the student and their family to identify the underlying causes of anxiety, creating a tailored plan that gradually builds confidence and helps the student re-engage with school life.

A key feature of this pathway is The Hive—a dedicated, calming space designed specifically for students accessing this support. The Hive has its own separate entrance and exit, allowing pupils to avoid entering the main school building until they are ready. It provides a safe, quiet environment where students can regulate their emotions and sensory needs, with a range of sensory regulation resources available. The Hive is intentionally designed to feel different from a traditional classroom, offering students a space to decompress, process their emotions, and build the confidence they need to gradually reintegrate into school life. This space is crucial in supporting emotional regulation and confidence-building for students who are struggling with school attendance.

For students on the Anxious About School Pathway, we understand that a traditional classroom environment may not always be the most effective way to support their learning. Therefore, we offer a tailored curriculum that is flexible and can be delivered in non-traditional ways, including offsite learning experiences. These learning opportunities take students to engaging locations such as museums, parks, beaches, and other enriching settings, which provide a safe, low-pressure environment to help students develop social skills, build confidence, and re-engage with education at their own pace.

By offering alternative learning experiences, we aim to reduce barriers to attendance, increase engagement, and provide pupils with the support they need to gradually reintegrate into a more structured school environment when they are ready. This approach helps to create a learning experience that is unique to the individual and accessible in ways that traditional classrooms may not always be.

At Croft Community School, we have a dedicated team to support students with EBSA:

Miss V Elcock – Deputy Head Teacher, with overall responsibility for attendance and behaviour support services. Miss Elcock oversees the implementation of our EBSA support plans.

Miss R Quinn – EBSA Officer, who works closely with students experiencing anxiety around school attendance. Miss Quinn builds positive relationships with students, offering one-on-one support and helping them understand and manage their anxiety. She also supports students who access an alternative provision, alongside creating tailored learning plans for pupils who access The Hive. This may involve engaging trips to locations such as museums, parks, beaches, and other enriching places to make learning more accessible and enjoyable for these students.

Mrs. A. Raine – Attendance Officer, who works to monitor and support student attendance, ensuring effective communication and collaboration with families to promote consistent school engagement.

Together, we aim to break the cycle of anxiety and school avoidance, empowering students to feel confident and supported as they take steps back into school life.

If you think your child may benefit from this pathway, or if you have any concerns about school attendance, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to support both students and families every step of the way in overcoming school anxiety.