Attendance Report 2022/23

The key findings in this report are aligned with the key findings of previous reports into this topic showing a positive correlation between increased attendance and attainment.

At both KS2 and KS4, the higher the attendance band a pupil is in during the assessment year, the more likely they were to achieve a successful outcome in 2022/23.

• At KS2, pupils who attended school nearly every day in Year 6 were 1.3 times more likely to achieve the expected standard in reading, writing and maths compared to pupils who only attended 90-95% of the time. This means missing just 10 days of year 6 reduced the likelihood of reaching the expected standard by around 25%. Pupils who attended nearly every day were 1.8 times more likely to achieve the standard than persistently absent pupils who only attend 85-90% of the time (relating to 4 -6 weeks more time in school).
• At KS2, pupils who attend between 50 and 55% of the time are twice as likely to achieve the expected standard than students who are severely absent (attending less than 50% of sessions). A pupil with 60-65% attendance (equating to approximately 4- 6 extra weeks in school) has a four times greater chance of successful outcome than those who attend less than 50% of the time.
• At KS4 pupils who attended school nearly every day in Year 11 were 1.9 times more likely to achieve the Grade 5 in English and Maths GCSE compared to pupils who only attended 90-95% of the time. This means missing just 10 days of the Year 11 reduced the likelihood of achieving grade 5 in English and Maths by around 50%.
• At lower attendance levels, KS4 pupils who only attend between 50 and 55% of the time are 1.6 times more likely to achieve 9-5 in Maths and English GCSE than students who are severely absent and attend less than 50% of sessions. Increased attendance from severely absent to 60-65% (equating to approximately an extra 4-6 weeks in school) is associated with double the likelihood of the expected outcome compared with pupils who attend less than 50% of the time.

If you would like to know more about this key area of governance responsibility then have a look at the DAG Busy Governance Guide to Attendance.