Severe School Absence Climbs to Record Levels as Government Grapples with Crisis
Official statistics have revealed that the proportion of pupils missing more than half of their classes reached another historic high last year, presenting a significant challenge for the Labour government as it attempts to reverse the trend. The latest figures from the Department for Education, covering the 2024/25 academic year, show that 2.39 per cent of pupils were classified as 'severely absent', meaning they missed 50 per cent or more of their school sessions.
A Disturbing Upward Trajectory Since the Pandemic
This represents a record high, increasing from 2.3 per cent in the previous academic year of 2023/24. The proportion of children experiencing severe absence has been steadily growing each year since the pandemic, rising dramatically from just 0.85 per cent in 2018/19. The most recent increase equates to approximately 5,100 additional pupils becoming severely absent compared to the year before.
The data, which encompasses Labour's first year in government, suggests that the problem of school refusal is becoming increasingly entrenched within the education system. Daniel Lilley, head of youth at the Centre for Social Justice, emphasised the gravity of the situation, stating: '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,' Lilley continued. '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.'
Mixed Picture with Some Positive Developments
Despite the concerning rise in severe absence, the figures reveal a more complex picture. The rate of increase for severe absence is actually slowing down, showing the smallest annual increase since 2018/19. Furthermore, the post-pandemic spike in general absence and persistent absenteeism (pupils missing 10 per cent or more of their classes) has been gradually declining for several years.
Persistent absence fell to 18.14 per cent in 2024/25 from 19.95 per cent the previous year, although this remains substantially higher than the 10.86 per cent recorded in 2018/19. The overall absence rate also decreased from 7.15 per cent in 2023/24 to 6.78 per cent last year, though it too remains well above pre-pandemic levels.
SEND Pupils Driving the Severe Absence Increase
The increase in severe absence has been primarily driven by pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who have education, health and care plans. Notably, the number of pupils without SEND who were severely absent actually decreased from 2023/24 to 2024/25, highlighting the specific challenges facing children with additional needs.
Charity Impetus has warned that, despite recent improvements, at the current rate of progress it will take another five years for persistent absence to return to pre-pandemic levels. For pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, this timeline extends to nine years. Susannah Hardyman, chief executive of Impetus, stressed that children in school today 'cannot afford to wait another five years' for meaningful change.
Regional Improvements and Government Response
On a more positive note, the progress in attendance meant that 228,000 more pupils attended school almost every day (achieving 95 per cent attendance or more) compared with 2023/24. Persistent absence decreased across all regions of England, with particularly strong progress observed in the North East and South West.
A Department for Education spokesperson stated: 'Every child deserves to be in school, learning and thriving. We have made real progress - absence is down and persistent absence has plummeted with over 225,000 more children attending school almost every day.'
'But we know there's more to do particularly for children with Send,' the spokesperson added. 'We have launched the biggest reform to the Send system in a generation with work already under way, ensuring children get the right support earlier, in a school near them.'
The government has implemented several initiatives to address the root causes of absence, including:
- Free breakfast clubs in schools
- Expanded mental health support teams
- Attendance and behaviour hubs supporting around 3,000 schools
- Sweeping SEND reforms announced in February aiming to create a more inclusive system
The government has established an ambitious target for children to attend 20 million more days of school each year by 2028/29 compared with 2023/24, alongside creating 93 hubs specifically designed to improve attendance and behaviour across the country.
