Understanding Absence
What absence data tells you about a school — and why context matters as much as the numbers.
Key Metrics
Three types of absence data
Schools track absence at different levels. Here's what each metric means and what to look for.
Overall Absence Rate
The percentage of possible school sessions missed. Calculated as the total number of absences divided by the total possible sessions. The national average for primary schools is around 5-6%, and for secondary schools around 7-8%.
Persistent Absence
A pupil is persistently absent if they miss 10% or more of sessions. This means missing about 19 days per year. Persistent absence is a key indicator watched closely by Ofsted and the DfE.
Severe Absence
A pupil is severely absent if they miss 50% or more of sessions. This is a relatively new metric introduced to track the most concerning cases, which increased significantly after the pandemic.
Important Context
Numbers don't tell the whole story
The pandemic effect
Absence rates rose sharply during and after COVID-19. Many schools are still dealing with higher absence than pre-pandemic levels. When comparing schools, look at trends over time rather than a single year.
Authorised vs unauthorised
Authorised absence (illness, religious observance, medical appointments) is recorded differently from unauthorised absence (unexplained, term-time holidays). Both count towards the overall rate.
Free school meals link
Schools with higher percentages of pupils eligible for free school meals typically have higher absence rates. This is important context when comparing schools in different areas.
What Ofsted looks at
Inspectors examine attendance data closely. They want to see that the school has robust systems for tracking and improving attendance, especially for vulnerable groups and persistent absentees.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
What's a 'good' absence rate?
Below the national average is generally positive. For primary schools, overall absence below 4% is strong. For secondary schools, below 5-6%. But always compare with similar schools in similar areas.
Should I worry about persistent absence rates?
If a school's persistent absence rate is significantly above the national average (around 20-22% nationally), it's worth understanding why. It may reflect the school's intake rather than its quality.
How does absence affect learning?
Research by the DfE shows a clear link between absence and attainment. Pupils with no absence are 1.3 times more likely to achieve expected standards at KS2 than those persistently absent. Every day matters.
Where does this data come from?
Absence data is collected from schools by the Department for Education through the termly school census. It is published annually, usually in March for the previous academic year.