Unauthorized absences at state-funded secondary schools in England fell for the second consecutive year in the 2024/25 academic year, according to major media reports. 95% in 2023/24, multiple reports indicate. This improvement was seen across all regions of England, with particular progress in the North East and South West, major media sources report.
The progress in attendance meant 228,000 more pupils attended school almost every day (95% attendance or more) in 2024/25 compared to 2023/24, according to reports. However, there were 5,100 more pupils classed as severely absent in 2024/25 compared to the previous year, according to multiple reports. The increase in severe absence was mainly driven by pupils with special educational needs and disabilities who have education, health and care plans, sources said.
A good education can provide a golden ticket to a better life, but in order to take advantage of it you need to be at school. The number of vulnerable pupils missing more school than they attend has hit yet another tragic record. To rescue these young people falling out of the education system, ministers must adopt our plan to take on the root causes of this disaster of missed learning.
1% in 2024/25, major media reports. According to Daily Mail - News, Daniel Lilley described the need for ministers to address root causes to rescue vulnerable pupils from missing school. The specific measures in the government's SEND reforms announced in February to tackle severe absence among SEND pupils remain unclear, as do the root causes of high absence rates at schools like Fir Vale Academy and Co-op Academy Leeds.
The effectiveness of the 93 attendance and behavior hubs created by the government is also unknown, along with detailed regional breakdowns of severe absence and specific ministerial actions beyond general reforms.