Autistic Girl's School Absence Sparks Concern

Thousands of children across the country with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are absent from their education annually. Millie Jellyman, an autistic student, faced significant challenges attending secondary school. Starting in Year 7, she attended for only a few months before intermittent attendance in subsequent years.

The school environment and her resulting anxiety profoundly affected Millie's physical and mental wellbeing. Consequently, her parents made the difficult decision to permanently withdraw her from school at the age of 14. This withdrawal meant she left without achieving any qualifications or passing any exams.