Pupil absence in schools in England
Autumn term 2025/26

Description

This document describes the data included in the ‘Pupil absence in schools in England’ accredited official statistics release’s underlying data files. The methodology (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/pupil-absence-in-schools-in-england) should be referenced alongside this data. It provides information on the data sources, their coverage and quality as well as explaining methodology used in producing the data.

Coverage

This release provides information on the levels of overall, authorised and unauthorised absence in:

- state-funded primary schools
- state-funded secondary schools
- special schools

It includes:

- reasons for absence
- absence by pupil characteristic
- rates of persistent and severe absence
- separate absence information for state-funded alternative provision (including pupil referral units, alternative provision academies and free schools)

The information is based on pupil level absence data collected via the school census.

File formats and conventions

Rounding and Suppression

This dataset has not had suppression applied. Rates are presented to two decimal places in the release but greater precision is included in the underlying data files

Conventions

The following convention is used throughout the underlying data.

‘x’  Not available.

‘z’  Not applicable

Back to top (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/pupil-absence-in-schools-in-england/2024-25-autumn-term/explore#top)

Contact us

If you have a specific enquiry about Pupil absence in schools in England statistics and data:

Attendance and exclusions statistics team

Email: schools.statistics@education.gov.uk (mailto:schools.statistics@education.gov.uk)
Contact name: Attendance and exclusions statistics team

Press office

If you have a media enquiry:

Telephone: 020 7783 8300

Public enquiries

If you have a general enquiry about the Department for Education (DfE) or education:

Phone: 0370 000 2288

Opening times

Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5.30pm (closed on bank holidays)

Data files

Absence by geographic level - autumn term

Filename: Absence_1term_nat_reg_la.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2006/07 Autumn term to 2025/26 Autumn term
Content summary: Absence information for all enrolments in state-funded primary, secondary and special schools including information on overall absence, persistent absence and reason for absence for pupils aged 5-15.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                          |  Variable description
-------------------------------------  |  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
education_phase                        |  School type - Filter by school type - Total includes primary, secondary and special
enrolments                             |  Number of pupil enrolments
enrolments_pa_10_exact                 |  Number of persistent absentees (10% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent         |  Percentage of persistent absentees (10% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact                 |  Number of severe absentees (50% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact_percent         |  Percentage of severe absentees (50% or more missed)
num_schools                            |  Number of schools
sess_auth_appointments                 |  Number of medical appointments sessions
sess_auth_appointments_rate            |  Medical appointments rate
sess_auth_excluded                     |  Number of excluded sessions
sess_auth_excluded_rate                |  Excluded rate
sess_auth_ext_holiday                  |  Number of extended authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_ext_holiday_rate             |  Extended authorised holiday rate
sess_auth_holiday                      |  Number of authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_holiday_rate                 |  Authorised holiday rate
sess_auth_illness                      |  Number of illness sessions
sess_auth_illness_rate                 |  Illness rate
sess_auth_interview                    |  Number of interview sessions
sess_auth_interview_rate               |  Interview rate
sess_auth_other                        |  Number of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_other_rate                   |  Authorised other rate
sess_auth_reg_performance              |  Number of regulated performance sessions
sess_auth_reg_performance_rate         |  Regulated performance rate
sess_auth_religious                    |  Number of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_religious_rate               |  Religious observance rate
sess_auth_study                        |  Number of study leave sessions
sess_auth_study_rate                   |  Study leave rate
sess_auth_temp_reduced_timetable       |  Number of temporary reduced timetable sessions
sess_auth_temp_reduced_timetable_rate  |  Temporary reduced timetable rate
sess_auth_totalreasons                 |  Number of authorised reasons sessions
sess_auth_totalreasons_rate            |  Authorised reasons rate
sess_auth_traveller                    |  Number of traveller sessions
sess_auth_traveller_rate               |  Traveller rate
sess_authorised                        |  Number of authorised absence sessions
sess_authorised_percent                |  Authorised absence rate
sess_overall                           |  Number of overall absence sessions
sess_overall_percent                   |  Overall absence rate
sess_overall_totalreasons              |  Number of overall reasons sessions
sess_overall_totalreasons_rate         |  Overall reasons rate
sess_possible                          |  Number of sessions possible
sess_q_la_arrangements                 |  Number of sessions recorded as unable to attend because of access arrangements
sess_unauth_holiday                    |  Number of unauthorised holiday sessions
sess_unauth_holiday_rate               |  Unauthorised holiday rate
sess_unauth_late                       |  Number of late sessions
sess_unauth_late_rate                  |  Late rate
sess_unauth_noyet                      |  Number of no reason yet sessions
sess_unauth_noyet_rate                 |  No reason yet rate
sess_unauth_other                      |  Number of unauthorised other sessions
sess_unauth_other_rate                 |  Unauthorised other rate
sess_unauth_totalreasons               |  Number of unauthorised reasons sessions
sess_unauth_totalreasons_rate          |  Unauthorised reasons rate
sess_unauthorised                      |  Number of unauthorised absence sessions
sess_unauthorised_percent              |  Unauthorised absence rate
sess_x_covid                           |  Number of sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances
sess_x_covid_rate                      |  Rate of sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances
sess_y_exceptional                     |  Number of sessions recorded as exceptional circumstances

Footnotes:

1. Total includes state-funded primary, secondary and special schools. Data for special schools is available from 2016/17 to present.
2. Sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances are included as possible sessions in 2020/21 and 2021/22 only, but not as an absence within absence rates. Comparisons with these years should be treated with caution.


Absence - school level - autumn term

Filename: Absence_1term_sch.csv
Geographic levels: School
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2025/26 Autumn term
Content summary: School level absence information for all enrolments in state-funded primary, secondary and special schools including information on overall absence, persistent absence and reason for absence for pupils aged 5-15.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                          |  Variable description
-------------------------------------  |  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
education_phase                        |  School type - Filter by school type - Total includes primary, secondary and special
enrolments                             |  Number of pupil enrolments
enrolments_pa_10_exact                 |  Number of persistent absentees (10% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent         |  Percentage of persistent absentees (10% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact                 |  Number of severe absentees (50% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact_percent         |  Percentage of severe absentees (50% or more missed)
sess_auth_appointments                 |  Number of medical appointments sessions
sess_auth_appointments_rate            |  Medical appointments rate
sess_auth_excluded                     |  Number of excluded sessions
sess_auth_excluded_rate                |  Excluded rate
sess_auth_ext_holiday                  |  Number of extended authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_ext_holiday_rate             |  Extended authorised holiday rate
sess_auth_holiday                      |  Number of authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_holiday_rate                 |  Authorised holiday rate
sess_auth_illness                      |  Number of illness sessions
sess_auth_illness_rate                 |  Illness rate
sess_auth_interview                    |  Number of interview sessions
sess_auth_interview_rate               |  Interview rate
sess_auth_other                        |  Number of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_other_rate                   |  Authorised other rate
sess_auth_reg_performance              |  Number of regulated performance sessions
sess_auth_reg_performance_rate         |  Regulated performance rate
sess_auth_religious                    |  Number of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_religious_rate               |  Religious observance rate
sess_auth_study                        |  Number of study leave sessions
sess_auth_study_rate                   |  Study leave rate
sess_auth_temp_reduced_timetable       |  Number of temporary reduced timetable sessions
sess_auth_temp_reduced_timetable_rate  |  Temporary reduced timetable rate
sess_auth_totalreasons                 |  Number of authorised reasons sessions
sess_auth_totalreasons_rate            |  Authorised reasons rate
sess_auth_traveller                    |  Number of traveller sessions
sess_auth_traveller_rate               |  Traveller rate
sess_authorised                        |  Number of authorised absence sessions
sess_authorised_percent                |  Authorised absence rate
sess_overall                           |  Number of overall absence sessions
sess_overall_percent                   |  Overall absence rate
sess_overall_totalreasons              |  Number of overall reasons sessions
sess_overall_totalreasons_rate         |  Overall reasons rate
sess_possible                          |  Number of sessions possible
sess_q_la_arrangements                 |  Number of sessions recorded as unable to attend because of access arrangements
sess_unauth_holiday                    |  Number of unauthorised holiday sessions
sess_unauth_holiday_rate               |  Unauthorised holiday rate
sess_unauth_late                       |  Number of late sessions
sess_unauth_late_rate                  |  Late rate
sess_unauth_noyet                      |  Number of no reason yet sessions
sess_unauth_noyet_rate                 |  No reason yet rate
sess_unauth_other                      |  Number of unauthorised other sessions
sess_unauth_other_rate                 |  Unauthorised other rate
sess_unauth_totalreasons               |  Number of unauthorised reasons sessions
sess_unauth_totalreasons_rate          |  Unauthorised reasons rate
sess_unauthorised                      |  Number of unauthorised absence sessions
sess_unauthorised_percent              |  Unauthorised absence rate
sess_x_covid                           |  Number of sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances
sess_x_covid_rate                      |  Rate of sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances
sess_y_exceptional                     |  Number of sessions recorded as exceptional circumstances

Footnotes:

1. Sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances are included as possible sessions in 2020/21 and 2021/22 only, but not as an absence within absence rates. Comparisons with these years should be treated with caution.


Absence by pupil characteristics - autumn term

Filename: Absence_1term_characteristics.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2019/20 Autumn term to 2025/26 Autumn term
Content summary: Absence information by pupil characteristics including special education need (SEN), free school meal (FSM) eligibility, language, year group, sex and ethnicity.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                          |  Variable description
-------------------------------------  |  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
characteristic_breakdown               |  Characteristic - Filter by pupil characteristic
education_phase                        |  School type - Filter by school type
enrolments                             |  Number of pupil enrolments
enrolments_pa_10_exact                 |  Number of persistent absentees (10% missed)
enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent         |  Percentage of persistent absentees (10% missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact                 |  Number of severe absentees (50% missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact_percent         |  Percentage of severe absentees (50% missed)
sess_auth_appointments                 |  Number of medical appointments sessions
sess_auth_excluded                     |  Number of excluded sessions
sess_auth_ext_holiday                  |  Number of extended authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_holiday                      |  Number of authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_illness                      |  Number of illness sessions
sess_auth_interview                    |  Number of interview sessions
sess_auth_other                        |  Number of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_reg_performance              |  Number of regulated performance sessions
sess_auth_religious                    |  Number of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_study                        |  Number of study leave sessions
sess_auth_temp_reduced_timetable       |  Number of temporary reduced timetable sessions
sess_auth_totalreasons                 |  Number of authorised reasons sessions
sess_auth_traveller                    |  Number of traveller sessions
sess_authorised                        |  Number of authorised absence sessions
sess_authorised_pa_10_exact            |  Number of authorised absence sessions for persistent absentees
sess_authorised_percent                |  Authorised absence rate
sess_authorised_percent_pa_10_exact    |  Authorised absence rate for persistent absentees
sess_overall                           |  Number of overall absence sessions
sess_overall_pa_10_exact               |  Number of overall absence sessions for persistent absentees
sess_overall_percent                   |  Overall absence rate
sess_overall_percent_pa_10_exact       |  Overall absence rate for persistent absentees
sess_overall_totalreasons              |  Number of overall reasons sessions
sess_possible                          |  Number of sessions possible
sess_possible_pa_10_exact              |  Number of sessions possible for persistent absentees
sess_q_la_arrangements                 |  Number of sessions recorded as unable to attend because of access arrangements
sess_unauth_holiday                    |  Number of unauthorised holiday sessions
sess_unauth_late                       |  Number of late sessions
sess_unauth_noyet                      |  Number of no reason yet sessions
sess_unauth_other                      |  Number of unauthorised other sessions
sess_unauth_totalreasons               |  Number of unauthorised reasons sessions
sess_unauthorised                      |  Number of unauthorised absence sessions
sess_unauthorised_pa_10_exact          |  Number of unauthorised absence sessions for persistent absentees
sess_unauthorised_percent              |  Unauthorised absence rate
sess_unauthorised_percent_pa_10_exact  |  Unauthorised absence rate for persistent absentees
sess_x_covid                           |  Number of sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances
sess_x_covid_rate                      |  Rate of sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances
sess_y_exceptional                     |  Number of sessions recorded as exceptional circumstances

Footnotes:

1. Total includes state-funded primary, secondary and special schools. Data for special schools is available from 2016/17 to present.
2. Sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances are included as possible sessions in 2020/21 and 2021/22 only, but not as an absence within absence rates. Comparisons with these years should be treated with caution.
3. EHC plans – A pupil has an EHC plan when a formal assessment has been made. A document is in place that sets out the child’s need and the extra help they should receive. EHC plans were introduced in September 2014 replacing Statements of SEN, with these being phased out by April 2018. This category therefore includes Statements of SEN for the years up to 2018.
4. SEN support - From 2015, the School Action and School Action Plus categories were combined to form one category of SEN support. Extra or different help is given from that provided as part of the school’s usual curriculum. The class teacher and special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) may receive advice or support from outside specialists. The pupil does not have an Education, Health and Care plan.
5. From 2023/24 the school census data item ‘sex’ replaced ‘gender’. Historical use of the word “gender” in the data collection may have meant that “gender identity” was reported in some cases, as opposed to legal sex. While this is unlikely to have a significant effect on overall figures, it may affect figures in more granular subdivisions. This category is presented as a single time-series but prior to spring 2023 any data was reported as 'gender'.


Absence in state funded alternative provision - autumn term

Filename: Absence_1term_ap_nat_reg_la.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2013/14 Autumn term to 2025/26 Autumn term
Content summary: Absence information for all enrolments in state-funded alternative provision (including pupil referral units) with information on overall absence, persistent absence and reason for absence for pupils aged 5-15.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                     |  Variable description
--------------------------------  |  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
enrolments                        |  Number of pupil enrolments
enrolments_pa_10_exact            |  Number of persistent absentees (10% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent    |  Percentage of persistent absentees (10% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact            |  Number of severe absentees (50% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact_percent    |  Percentage of severe absentees (50% or more missed)
num_schools                       |  Number of schools
sess_auth_appointments            |  Number of medical appointments sessions
sess_auth_excluded                |  Number of excluded sessions
sess_auth_ext_holiday             |  Number of extended authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_holiday                 |  Number of authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_illness                 |  Number of illness sessions
sess_auth_interview               |  Number of interview sessions
sess_auth_other                   |  Number of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_reg_performance         |  Number of regulated performance sessions
sess_auth_religious               |  Number of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_study                   |  Number of study leave sessions
sess_auth_temp_reduced_timetable  |  Number of temporary reduced timetable sessions
sess_auth_totalreasons            |  Number of authorised reasons sessions
sess_auth_traveller               |  Number of traveller sessions
sess_authorised                   |  Number of authorised absence sessions
sess_authorised_percent           |  Authorised absence rate
sess_overall                      |  Number of overall absence sessions
sess_overall_percent              |  Overall absence rate
sess_overall_totalreasons         |  Number of overall reasons sessions
sess_possible                     |  Number of sessions possible
sess_q_la_arrangements            |  Number of sessions recorded as unable to attend because of access arrangements
sess_unauth_holiday               |  Number of unauthorised holiday sessions
sess_unauth_late                  |  Number of late sessions
sess_unauth_noyet                 |  Number of no reason yet sessions
sess_unauth_other                 |  Number of unauthorised other sessions
sess_unauth_totalreasons          |  Number of unauthorised reasons sessions
sess_unauthorised                 |  Number of unauthorised absence sessions
sess_unauthorised_percent         |  Unauthorised absence rate
sess_x_covid                      |  Number of sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances
sess_y_exceptional                |  Number of sessions recorded as exceptional circumstances

Footnotes:

1. Sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances are included as possible sessions in 2020/21 and 2021/22 only, but not as an absence within absence rates. Comparisons with these years should be treated with caution.


Absence in state funded alternative provision school level - autumn term

Filename: Absence_1term_ap_sch.csv
Geographic levels: School
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2025/26 Autumn term
Content summary: School level absence information for all enrolments in state-funded alternative provision (including pupil referral units) with information on overall absence, persistent absence and reason for absence for pupils aged 5-15.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                     |  Variable description
--------------------------------  |  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
enrolments                        |  Number of pupil enrolments
enrolments_pa_10_exact            |  Number of persistent absentees
enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent    |  Percentage of persistent absentees
enrolments_pa_50_exact            |  Number of persistent absentees (50% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact_percent    |  Percentage of persistent absentees (50% or more missed)
sess_auth_appointments            |  Number of medical appointments sessions
sess_auth_excluded                |  Number of excluded sessions
sess_auth_ext_holiday             |  Number of extended authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_holiday                 |  Number of authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_illness                 |  Number of illness sessions
sess_auth_interview               |  Number of interview sessions
sess_auth_other                   |  Number of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_reg_performance         |  Number of regulated performance sessions
sess_auth_religious               |  Number of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_study                   |  Number of study leave sessions
sess_auth_temp_reduced_timetable  |  Number of temporary reduced timetable sessions
sess_auth_totalreasons            |  Number of authorised reasons sessions
sess_auth_traveller               |  Number of traveller sessions
sess_authorised                   |  Number of authorised absence sessions
sess_authorised_percent           |  Authorised absence rate
sess_overall                      |  Number of overall absence sessions
sess_overall_percent              |  Overall absence rate
sess_overall_totalreasons         |  Number of overall reasons sessions
sess_possible                     |  Number of sessions possible
sess_q_la_arrangements            |  Number of sessions recorded as unable to attend because of access arrangements
sess_unauth_holiday               |  Number of unauthorised holiday sessions
sess_unauth_late                  |  Number of late sessions
sess_unauth_noyet                 |  Number of no reason yet sessions
sess_unauth_other                 |  Number of unauthorised other sessions
sess_unauth_totalreasons          |  Number of unauthorised reasons sessions
sess_unauthorised                 |  Number of unauthorised absence sessions
sess_unauthorised_percent         |  Unauthorised absence rate
sess_x_covid                      |  Number of sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances
sess_y_exceptional                |  Number of sessions recorded as exceptional circumstances

Footnotes:

1. Sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances are included as possible sessions in 2020/21 and 2021/22 only, but not as an absence within absence rates. Comparisons with these years should be treated with caution.


Absence as a percentage of possible sessions by band - autumn term

Filename: Absence_1term_one_percent_band.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2006/07 Autumn term to 2025/26 Autumn term
Content summary: The number of pupil enrolments by overall, authorised and unauthorised absence percentage point bands. This shows absence as a percentage of all possible sessions.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                    |  Variable description
-------------------------------  |  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
education_phase                  |  School type - Filter by school type
enrolments_authorised            |  Number of all pupil enrolments that fall into that per cent band for authorised absence
enrolments_authorised_percent    |  Percentage of all pupil enrolments that fall into that per cent band for authorised absence
enrolments_illness               |  Number of all pupil enrolments that fall into that per cent band for illness absence
enrolments_illness_percent       |  Percentage of all pupil enrolments that fall into that per cent band for illness absence
enrolments_overall               |  Number of all pupil enrolments that fall into that per cent band for overall absence
enrolments_overall_percent       |  Percentage of all pupil enrolments that fall into that per cent band for overall absence
enrolments_sess_x_covid          |  Number of all pupil enrolments that fall into that per cent band for non-attendance due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
enrolments_sess_x_covid_percent  |  Percentage of all pupil enrolments that fall into that per cent band for non-attendance due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
enrolments_unauthorised          |  Number of all pupil enrolments that fall into that per cent band for unauthorised absence
enrolments_unauthorised_percent  |  Percentage of all pupil enrolments that fall into that per cent band for unauthorised absence
percent_bands                    |  Absence percentage band - Filter by percentage of absence

Footnotes:

1. Total includes state-funded primary, secondary and special schools. Data for special schools is available from 2016/17 to present.
2. Sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances are included as possible sessions in 2020/21 and 2021/22 only, but not as an absence within absence rates. Comparisons with these years should be treated with caution.


Enrolments with one or more sessions of absence - autumn term

Filename: Absence_1term_one_plus_sessions_geog.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2006/07 Autumn term to 2025/26 Autumn term
Content summary: The number of pupil enrolments with one or more sessions of absence, including by reason for absence.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                      |  Variable description
---------------------------------  |  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
education_phase                    |  School type - Filter by school type
enrol_auth_appointments            |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to medical or dental appointments
enrol_auth_excluded                |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to exclusion
enrol_auth_ext_holiday             |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to agreed extended family holiday
enrol_auth_holiday                 |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to agreed family holiday
enrol_auth_illness                 |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to illness
enrol_auth_interview               |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to interview
enrol_auth_other                   |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to other authorised circumstances
enrol_auth_reg_performance         |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to regulated performance
enrol_auth_religious               |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to religious observance
enrol_auth_study                   |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to study leave
enrol_auth_temp_reduced_timetable  |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to temporary reduced timetable
enrol_auth_traveller               |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to traveller absence
enrol_authorised                   |  Number of enrolments with at least one authorised absence session
enrol_overall                      |  Number of enrolments with at least one overall absence session
enrol_unauth_holiday               |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to family holiday not agreed
enrol_unauth_late                  |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to arriving late
enrol_unauth_noyet                 |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to no reason yet
enrol_unauth_other                 |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to other unauthorised circumstances
enrol_unauthorised                 |  Number of enrolments with at least one unauthorised absence session
enrol_x_covid                      |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to not attending due to COVID circumstances
enrol_y_exceptional                |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to exceptional circumstances
enrolments                         |  Number of pupil enrolments
num_schools                        |  Number of schools

Footnotes:

1. Total includes state-funded primary, secondary and special schools. Data for special schools is available from 2016/17 to present.
2. Sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances are included as possible sessions in 2020/21 and 2021/22 only, but not as an absence within absence rates. Comparisons with these years should be treated with caution.


Enrolments with one or more sessions of absence school level - autumn term

Filename: Absence_1term_one_plus_sessions_school.csv
Geographic levels: School
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2025/26 Autumn term
Content summary: The number of enrolments with one or more sessions of absence, including by reason for absence, at school level.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                      |  Variable description
---------------------------------  |  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
education_phase                    |  School type - Filter by school type
enrol_auth_appointments            |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to medical or dental appointments
enrol_auth_excluded                |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to exclusion
enrol_auth_ext_holiday             |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to agreed extended family holiday
enrol_auth_holiday                 |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to agreed family holiday
enrol_auth_illness                 |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to illness
enrol_auth_interview               |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to interview
enrol_auth_other                   |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to other authorised circumstances
enrol_auth_reg_performance         |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to regulated performance
enrol_auth_religious               |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to religious observance
enrol_auth_study                   |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to study leave
enrol_auth_temp_reduced_timetable  |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to temporary reduced timetable
enrol_auth_traveller               |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to traveller absence
enrol_authorised                   |  Number of enrolments with at least one authorised absence session
enrol_overall                      |  Number of enrolments with at least one overall absence session
enrol_unauth_holiday               |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to family holiday not agreed
enrol_unauth_late                  |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to arriving late
enrol_unauth_noyet                 |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to no reason yet
enrol_unauth_other                 |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to other unauthorised circumstances
enrol_unauthorised                 |  Number of enrolments with at least one unauthorised absence session
enrol_x_covid                      |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to not attending due to COVID circumstances
enrol_y_exceptional                |  Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to exceptional circumstances
enrolments                         |  Number of pupil enrolments
num_schools                        |  Number of schools

Footnotes:

1. Sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances are included as possible sessions in 2020/21 and 2021/22 only, but not as an absence within absence rates. Comparisons with these years should be treated with caution.


Absence for four year olds - autumn term

Filename: Absence_1term_4_year_olds_geog.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2012/13 Autumn term to 2025/26 Autumn term
Content summary: Overall absence for all enrolments in state-funded primary, secondary and special schools for pupils aged 4.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name         |  Variable description
--------------------  |  -----------------------------------
education_phase       |  School type - Filter by school type
enrolments            |  Number of pupil enrolments
num_schools           |  Number of schools
sess_overall          |  Number of overall absence sessions
sess_overall_percent  |  Overall absence rate
sess_possible         |  Number of sessions possible

Footnotes:

1. Total includes state-funded primary, secondary and special schools. Data for special schools is available from 2016/17 to present.
2. Sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances are included as possible sessions in 2020/21 and 2021/22 only, but not as an absence within absence rates. Comparisons with these years should be treated with caution.


Absence for four year olds school level - autumn term

Filename: Absence_1term_4_year_olds_school.csv
Geographic levels: School
Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2025/26 Autumn term
Content summary: School level overall absence for all enrolments in state-funded primary, secondary and special schools for pupils aged 4.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name         |  Variable description
--------------------  |  -----------------------------------
education_phase       |  School type - Filter by school type
enrolments            |  Number of pupil enrolments
sess_overall          |  Number of overall absence sessions
sess_overall_percent  |  Overall absence rate
sess_possible         |  Number of sessions possible

Footnotes:

1. Sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances are included as possible sessions in 2020/21 and 2021/22 only, but not as an absence within absence rates. Comparisons with these years should be treated with caution.


Absence rates by geographic level - termly

Filename: Absence_1term_nat_reg_la_termly.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2018/19 Autumn term to 2025/26 Autumn term
Content summary: Termly absence information for all enrolments in state-funded primary, secondary and special schools including information on overall absence, persistent absence and reason for absence for pupils aged 5-15.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                          |  Variable description
-------------------------------------  |  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
education_phase                        |  School type - Filter by school type - Total includes primary, secondary and special
enrolments                             |  Number of pupil enrolments
enrolments_pa_10_exact                 |  Number of persistent absentees (10% or more sessions missed)
enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent         |  Percentage of persistent absentees (10% or more sessions missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact                 |  Number of severe absentees (50% or more sessions missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact_percent         |  Percentage of severe absentees (50% or more sessions missed)
sess_auth_appointments                 |  Number of medical appointments sessions
sess_auth_appointments_rate            |  Medical appointments rate
sess_auth_excluded                     |  Number of excluded sessions
sess_auth_excluded_rate                |  Excluded rate
sess_auth_ext_holiday                  |  Number of extended authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_ext_holiday_rate             |  Extended authorised holiday rate
sess_auth_holiday                      |  Number of authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_holiday_rate                 |  Authorised holiday rate
sess_auth_illness                      |  Number of illness sessions
sess_auth_illness_rate                 |  Illness rate
sess_auth_interview                    |  Number of interview sessions
sess_auth_interview_rate               |  Interview rate
sess_auth_other                        |  Number of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_other_rate                   |  Authorised other rate
sess_auth_reg_performance              |  Number of regulated performance sessions
sess_auth_reg_performance_rate         |  Regulated performance rate
sess_auth_religious                    |  Number of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_religious_rate               |  Religious observance rate
sess_auth_study                        |  Number of study leave sessions
sess_auth_study_rate                   |  Study leave rate
sess_auth_temp_reduced_timetable       |  Number of temporary reduced timetable sessions
sess_auth_temp_reduced_timetable_rate  |  Temporary reduced timetable rate
sess_auth_totalreasons                 |  Number of authorised reasons sessions
sess_auth_totalreasons_rate            |  Authorised reasons rate
sess_auth_traveller                    |  Number of traveller sessions
sess_auth_traveller_rate               |  Traveller rate
sess_authorised                        |  Number of authorised absence sessions
sess_authorised_percent                |  Authorised absence rate
sess_overall                           |  Number of overall absence sessions
sess_overall_percent                   |  Overall absence rate
sess_overall_totalreasons              |  Number of overall reasons sessions
sess_overall_totalreasons_rate         |  Overall reasons rate
sess_possible                          |  Number of sessions possible
sess_q_la_arrangements                 |  Number of sessions recorded as exceptional circumstances
sess_unauth_holiday                    |  Number of unauthorised holiday sessions
sess_unauth_holiday_rate               |  Unauthorised holiday rate
sess_unauth_late                       |  Number of late sessions
sess_unauth_late_rate                  |  Late rate
sess_unauth_noyet                      |  Number of no reason yet sessions
sess_unauth_noyet_rate                 |  No reason yet rate
sess_unauth_other                      |  Number of unauthorised other sessions
sess_unauth_other_rate                 |  Unauthorised other rate
sess_unauth_totalreasons               |  Number of unauthorised reasons sessions
sess_unauth_totalreasons_rate          |  Unauthorised reasons rate
sess_unauthorised                      |  Number of unauthorised absence sessions
sess_unauthorised_percent              |  Unauthorised absence rate
sess_x_covid                           |  Number of sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances
sess_x_covid_rate                      |  Rate of sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances
sess_y_exceptional                     |  Number of sessions recorded as unable to attend because of access arrangements

Footnotes:

1. Total includes state-funded primary, secondary and special schools. Data for special schools is available from 2016/17 to present.
2. Sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances are included as possible sessions in 2020/21 and 2021/22 only, but not as an absence within absence rates. Comparisons with these years should be treated with caution.


Absence by ethnicity and FSM eligibility - autumn term

Filename: Absence_1term_ethnicity_fsm.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2024/25 Autumn term to 2025/26 Autumn term
Content summary: Absence information broken down by ethnicity and Free School Meals.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                   |  Variable description
------------------------------  |  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
enrolments                      |  Number of pupil enrolments
enrolments_pa_10_exact          |  Number of persistent absentees (10% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent  |  Percentage of persistent absentees (10% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact          |  Number of severe absentees (50% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact_percent  |  Percentage of severe absentees (50% or more missed)
ethnicity_minor                 |  Ethnicity Minor
fsm                             |  FSM eligibility
sess_overall                    |  Number of overall absence sessions
sess_overall_percent            |  Percentage of absence sessions
sess_possible                   |  Number of sessions possible
sess_possible_pa_10_exact       |  Number of sessions possible for persistent absentees (10% or more missed)
