When a child experiences Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), the question "Will mentoring actually help?" comes up frequently in SENCO meetings and LA discussions. EBSA is not a deliberate choice; the term 'refusal' is inaccurate because anxiety manifests as real physical symptoms and impacts emotional well-being. It's a fair question. With limited budgets and time, educational professionals need evidence-based approaches that deliver genuine results. The short answer

A calm, safe space at Fast Progress Tuition helps anxious children relax and build confidence during school and holiday periods. "Resilience is not about avoiding challenges—it's about learning how to rise above them, one gentle step at a time." Anonymous Supporting a child with school anxiety feels like walking through a minefield. Every decision matters, and well-meaning parents, SENCOs, and teachers often find themselves making mistakes that accidentally make things worse.

If you are leading on a complex anxiety presentation linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), J’s story will feel familiar. Student J had an ASD diagnosis (not PDA) with high separation anxiety. He had secure literacy and numeracy, but anxiety blocked access to learning. After his last day in June 2024, he was out of education until January 2025. When J joined Fast Progress Tuition on 27 January 2025, we kept the first weeks simple and safe. Short, low-demand sessions. Famil

When your child reaches 16, the education landscape changes significantly. For parents of young people with SEND or anxiety-related school attendance issues, choosing between mainstream college and specialist alternative provision can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down your options and helps you navigate the best path forward for your child's post-16 education journey. Understanding Your Post-16 Options Mainstream Further Education Colleges operate alongside studen