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The latest national statistics on Pupil Absence produced by the Department for Education were released on 19th October 2011 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics AuthorityUK Statistics Authority

DfE: Pupil Absence in schools in England: Autumn Term 2010 and Spring Term 2011

DescriptionThis Statistical First Release (SFR) reports on absence in state-funded primary and secondary schools in England in autumn term 2010 and spring term 2011.

This release provides information on the levels of absence (authorised, unauthorised and overall) by type of school, persistent absentees, on absence by reason, and absence by pupil characteristics.

The Department recently reduced the threshold at which a pupil is classified as a persistent absentee (PA) and it is now defined in terms of those missing around 15 per cent overall absence, down from around 20 per cent overall absence. Across autumn term 2010 and spring term 2011, pupils are classed as PAs if absent for around 15 per cent of all possible sessions (38 or more half days).

The key points from the latest release are:
  • Across the two terms 5.2 per cent of pupil enrolments were persistent absentees in state-funded primary schools and 9.5 per cent of pupil enrolments in state-funded secondary schools.
  • The rate of overall absence (authorised and unauthorised) for persistent absentees was 23.5 per cent
  • Across state-funded primary and secondary schools, persistent absentees accounted for 29.2 per cent of overall absence - 23.5 per cent of authorised absence and 55.6 per cent of unauthorised absence.
  • For state-funded primary and secondary schools, absence rates (percentage of half days missed) for the combined autumn term 2010 and spring term 2011 were (figures in brackets refer to autumn term 2009 and spring term 2010):
    • Authorised Absence - 4.76 per cent (5.03 per cent)
    • Unauthorised Absence - 1.03 per cent (1.01 per cent)
    • Overall Absence - 5.78 per cent (6.04 per cent)
Download Formats PDF (157Kb) | Explain formats
Additional informationEXCEL (National level analysis of absence by type of school and by reason for absence, including pupil characteristics)
Additional informationEXCEL (Additional information on local authority level absence)
Publication’s Underlying Data
Additional informationZip Archive 
Reference IDSFR25/2011
Coverage Country England
Date Released19 October 2011
Main Category Children, Education and Skills
Sub CategorySchool welfare, behaviour and attendance    Click on subcategory link to see if there is later information
TypeStatistical First Release
ContactLaura Nurse - Schools Statistical Team  schools.statistics@education.gsi.gov.uk  tel: 01325 735478
PreRelease AccessClick here
 Publication includes individual Local Authority informationPublication includes individual Local Authority information

To access this publication click on the links next to "Download Formats" above