As from January 2007, all maintained schools submit absence data for every term via the School Census. As from 2006/07, independent schools are no longer required to submit absence data to the Department. A letter was sent to all independent schools informing them of this.

In line with a commitment in the Children's Plan, the then Secretary of State decided that, from 2008, persistent absence rates would be published for primary and secondary schools in the Achievement and Attainment Tables alongside overall absence rates. It was decided that rates for unauthorised absence for these schools would be published separately on this website.

These additional figures on unauthorised absence at school level for Key Stages 2 and 4 are now available below:

  • Key Stage 2 unauthorised absence: autumn term 2007 and spring term 2008
  • Key Stage 4 unauthorised absence: autumn term 2007 and spring term 2008

Data for the National Pupil Absence Tables can be viewed on the Associated Resources section of this page. Since 2002, the data is published at Statistical First Release Pupil Absence Schools in England.

  • Pupil absence: spring 2009 term report
  • Pupil absence: autumn 2008 term report
  • Pupil absence in schools in England, including pupil characteristics: 2007/08
  • Pupil absence in schools in England: autumn term 2007 and spring term 2008
  • Pupil absence: spring 2008 term report (provisional)
  • Pupil absence: autumn 2007 term report (provisional)
  • Pupil absence in schools in England, including pupil characteristics: 2006/07
  • Pupil absence in schools in England: autumn term 2006 and spring term 2007
  • Pupil absence in secondary schools in England: 2005/06
  • Pupil absence in schools in England: 2005/06 (provisional)

Outbreaks of influenza-like illnesses in schools: England and Wales 2005/06

This data was submitted voluntarily by schools to the Health Protection Agency during the 2005/06 flu season. Reporting systems in each region were different resulting in some regions getting a fuller idea of the extent of the flu outbreak. This impacted on the absence data for 2005/06 (above).

Pupil absence in schools: autumn 2006 term report and spring 2007 term report

This is a new release reporting on absence data collected via the School Census on a termly basis.

Pupil referral units (PRUs): absence data

  • Pupil referral unit absence data: autumn term 2005/06

Data for pupil referral units (PRUs) have been collected for the first time. The figures cover the 450 pupil referral units in England.

  • Pupil referral unit absence data: autumn term 2006

The figures cover the 448 PRUs in England totalling 24,000 pupils.