Statistics on absence are published as 'Pupil Absence in Schools in England, including Pupil Characteristics: 2007/08' and include data from England covering absence rates and the numbers and percentages of pupil enrolments classed as persistent absentees. The latest statistics report on the 2007/08 academic year; they update 2006/07 results released on 26/02/2008 and part year results for 2007/08 released on 21/10/2008.

The release provides information by type of school, by pupil characteristics such as gender, free school meal eligibility, ethnic group and special educational needs; as well as information on the reasons for absence.

The key points from the latest release are:

  • For primary, secondary and special schools, 6.29% of possible half days are missed due to absence, compared to 6.49% the previous year.
  • 3.6% of pupil enrolments are classed as persistent absentees, compared to 4.1% the previous year, typically missing 20% or more of possible half days of attendance.
Further information on absence by free school meals, by area characteristics and pupil residency, and local authority level figures by ethnicity, will be added as additional tables.

Revisions and Amendments
  • 21 April 2009 - Table 3.2 row descriptions have been amended. Table 4.4 row descriptions have been amended and figures revised.

Contact details

Andrew Clarke - Schools Statistical Team
Telephone: 01325 735478
Email: schools.statistics@education.gsi.gov.uk