Children with chronic health conditions, on average, perform worse in school exams when compared to their peers without such conditions. Some scientists have suggested that this is potentially due to increased school absences. However, it's unclear whether the absences alone are to blame, or if the health conditions themselves impair cognitive functions like concentration, memory, and communication. This study aims to understand why children with chronic health conditions often perform worse in school when compared to their peers without such conditions.

Using linked health and educational data in the ECHILD database, it aims to determine the extent to which school absences, the conditions themselves, or other factors contribute to lower educational outcomes. Understanding the true causes of this poorer attainment is important to ensure all children receive the necessary support to succeed in school. If frequent absences are primarily responsible, then interventions aimed at reducing these absences could improve exam performance. However, if the child’s chronic health condition is directly impacting learning, more support enabling children to manage the effects of their condition in school might be required.

This study is led by Prof Ruth Gilbert and Dr Ruth Blackburn and is funded by the NIHR Children and Families Policy Research Unit.