Absence gap for vulnerable students rises, EPI suggests

Analysis from the Education Policy Institute has revealed that the absence gap between the most vulnerable schoolchildren and their peers has widened.

Between autumn 2022/23 and 2023/24, the report found that overall absence rates have fallen.

However, it found that pupils with SEND or those from disadvantaged backgrounds are missing up to 4.4 more days than other students.

They said the high and increasing rates of absenteeism amongst pupils with SEND raises complex questions about the nature and quality of the support they receive in and out of school.

Overall absence at primary schools fell from 6.3 per cent to 5.3 per cent and at secondary schools from 8.8 per cent to 8.1 per cent. This fall appears to be largely driven by an unwinding of some of the global effects of the pandemic – across both phases there was an almost one percentage point fall in the rate of authorised absence due to illness.

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders commented: “The fact is that the SEND system is on its knees – with long waits for education, health and care plans, and a lack of sufficient funding and specialist support for schools. 

“While schools are doing their absolute best to support all their students, this crisis often means that they simply cannot provide the level of support required by these young people. 

“Teachers and leaders are at their wits’ end and it is a tragedy for the students and families affected. Addressing the SEND crisis is an important part of bringing down absence rates, improving student outcomes and closing educational gaps. It must be a key priority for the new government.”