High absence rates still a problem

The latest headline facts and figures from the Department for Education (DfE) on absence in schools show for the academic year to date that:

• The overall absence rate is 7.5% (was 4.7% in 2018-19)
• Authorised absence rate is 5.1%
• Unauthorised absence rate is 2.4%.

Looking at persistent absence, where pupils miss 10 per cent or more classes:

• Persistent absence rate is 22.0% (was 10.9% in 2018-19)
• Persistent absence rate is 6.0% in state-funded primary schools (4.3% authorised and 1.6% unauthorised)
• Persistent absence rate is 9.2% in state-funded secondary schools (5.8% authorised and 3.4% unauthorised)
• Persistent absence rate is 13.0% in state-funded special schools (10.0% authorised and 3.1% unauthorised)

To understand the reality behind the figures a recent programme has looked in detail at this subject. The BBC Radio 4 series ‘The Briefing Room’ considers issues of the day and this episode asks why record numbers of children have not returned to regular schooling.  At 28 minutes long it is an informative session that will interest all governors and trustees as they considers how this important issue affects their own schools. ‘What can schools do about record absences?’ is available via BBC Sounds.