Hunted star's extreme back-to-school advice after heartbreaking admission about own childhood

As the new school term begins, concerns over rising pupil absenteeism have intensified, according to Department for Education statistics released earlier this month. The data reveals that 18.1% of students, equivalent to 1.29 million children, are classified as persistently absent, having missed at least 10% of their lessons. This represents a rise of 10,000 compared to the previous academic year. Meanwhile, 151,000 pupils are categorized as severely absent, having missed half of their term. Jordan Wylie, a television adventurer and star of Hunted, has spoken out about the growing issue, linking it to factors such as parental anxiety and screen addiction. Wylie, who grew up in Blackpool’s Grange Park estate, one of the largest council housing areas in the UK, has firsthand experience of the difficulties faced by children from disadvantaged backgrounds. He described his early life as marked by instability, spending his 15th birthday in a police cell and leaving school without qualifications before joining the British Army. Wylie, who was awarded an MBE for his adventurous exploits, has since led numerous high-profile expeditions, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro barefoot and exploring Antarctica. His experiences in extreme environments have shaped his views on mental health and resilience. “I’ve seen young people take their own lives because of things that have happened on social media,” he said in an interview with the Daily Mirror. “In remote places where there’s no signal or connectivity, my mental health is at its best.” He argues that modern adolescents face unique psychological pressures due to the pervasive influence of social media. “There’s this constant comparison culture where young men and women are being made to feel not good enough because of what they see online,” Wylie explained. “The challenges that young people have today are a lot more difficult and complex than what I had 20 years ago.” Wylie is now advocating for a shift in perspective among parents and students, encouraging them to embrace uncertainty rather than fear it. He supports Outward Bound, an organization operating five centers across England, Scotland, and Wales, which is launching its Big Shake-Up campaign aimed at helping children, parents, and teachers navigate the transition back to school. “When you go back into the new school year, there are a lot of things that people are apprehensive about,” Wylie said. “We’re trying to encourage them to step into the unknown and get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” He emphasized that challenges should be viewed as opportunities for growth. “When we’re given challenges in life, they are our best opportunities to grow. Instead of seeing the stumbling blocks, let’s look for the stepping stones that are going to help us, not cause us more stress.” Natalie Harling, director of business development at The Outward Bound Trust, echoed these sentiments. She noted that the organization sees a spike in student dropouts during the back-to-school period. “We believe young people grow when they step into the unfamiliar,” she said. “Sometimes that happens on a mountain, a lake, or a wild stretch of coastline, sometimes it starts with a different question in a classroom.” The initiative aims to provide practical tools and strategies to help students adapt to the demands of the new term. Activities include outdoor education programs designed to build confidence and resilience. These efforts align with broader concerns about youth mental health, particularly among boys, who are increasingly struggling with issues related to identity and self-worth in a digital age. Wylie’s personal journey, from a troubled adolescence to becoming a respected figure in both the military and adventure sectors, serves as a powerful example of overcoming adversity. His advocacy underscores the need for innovative approaches to addressing the mental health crisis facing young people today. As schools prepare for the new term, the focus is shifting toward creating supportive environments that foster resilience and adaptability.