Overview

• Department for Education data confirms 171,269 pupils were severely absent in 2023/24, the highest number since records began in 2006/07.
• Persistent absenteeism affected 20% of pupils last academic year, a slight improvement from 21.2% in 2022/23 but still well above pre-pandemic levels of 10.9%.
• The unauthorised absence rate rose to 2.5% in 2023/24, up from 2.4% the previous year and significantly higher than 1.4% in 2018/19.
• Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson criticized schools for insufficient progress on attendance, urging faster action, while school leaders argue fines alone are not effective.
• Unions and experts emphasize the need to address mental health, poverty, and shifting parental attitudes to reduce absenteeism and tackle educational inequality.