Autumn term 2018/19

Pupil absence in schools in England: autumn term

Data guidance

Published 6 May 2020

Data files

All data files associated with this releases are listed below with guidance on their content. To download any of these files, please visit our data catalogue.

Absence by geographic level

• Filename: Absence_1term_201819_nat_reg_la_sch_5to15.csv
• Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
• Time period: 2006/07 Autumn term to 2018/19 Autumn term

Variable names and descriptions

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
num_schools	Number of schools
school_type	School type - Filter by school type
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_other	Number of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_religious	Number of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_study	Number of study leave 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_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

Footnotes

1. Pupil enrolments missing 10 percent or more of their own possible sessions (due to authorised or unauthorised absence) are classified as persistent absentees.
2. Absence rates are the number of absence sessions expressed as a percentage of the total number of possible sessions.
3. Includes all schools with at least six enrolments who reported absence information via the school census for the associated academic year.
4. State-funded secondary schools include city technology colleges and all secondary academies, including all-through academies and free schools.
5. The definition of persistent absence changed from the 2015/16 academic year - The information presented for years prior to 2015/16 has been produced using the same methodology in order to allow users to make comparisons on a consistent basis over time.
6. State-funded primary schools include all primary academies, including free schools.
7. The percentage of persistent absentees is the number of persistent absentees expressed as a percentage of the total number of enrolments.
8. Number of enrolments includes pupils on the school roll for at least one session who are aged between 5 and 15, excluding boarders. Some pupils may be counted more than once (if they moved schools during the academic year or are registered in more than one school).

Absence by percent bands

• Filename: Absence_1term_201819_one_percent_bands.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2006/07 Autumn term to 2018/19 Autumn term

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
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_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_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
school_type	School type - Filter by school type

Footnotes

1. State-funded secondary schools include city technology colleges and all secondary academies, including all-through academies and free schools.
2. State-funded primary schools include all primary academies, including free schools.

Absence by percent bands (including special schools)

• Filename: Absence_1term_201819_one_pc_bandswspecial.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2018/19 Autumn term

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
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_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_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
school_type	School type - Filter by school type

Footnotes

1. State-funded secondary schools include city technology colleges and all secondary academies, including all-through academies and free schools.
2. State-funded primary schools include all primary academies, including free schools.
3. Special schools include maintained special schools, non-maintained special schools and special academies. Excludes general hospital schools, independent special schools and independent schools approved for SEN pupils.

Absence for 4 year olds

• Filename: Absence_1term_201819_4yo.csv
• Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
• Time period: 2012/13 Autumn term to 2018/19 Autumn term

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

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

Footnotes

1. Only overall absence is recorded for pupils aged 4, absences are not categorised as authorised or unauthorised.
2. Includes all schools with at least six enrolments who reported absence information via the school census for the associated academic year.
3. State-funded secondary schools include city technology colleges and all secondary academies, including all-through academies and free schools.
4. Includes pupils on the school roll for at least one session who are aged 4, excluding boarders. Some pupils may be counted more than once (if they moved schools during the academic year or are registered at more than one school).
5. State-funded primary schools include all primary academies, including free schools.

Absence for 4 year olds (including special schools)

• Filename: Absence_1term_201819_4yowspecial.csv
• Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
• Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2018/19 Autumn term

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

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

Footnotes

1. Only overall absence is recorded for pupils aged 4, absences are not categorised as authorised or unauthorised.
2. Includes all schools with at least six enrolments who reported absence information via the school census for the associated academic year.
3. State-funded secondary schools include city technology colleges and all secondary academies, including all-through academies and free schools.
4. Includes pupils on the school roll for at least one session who are aged 4, excluding boarders. Some pupils may be counted more than once (if they moved schools during the academic year or are registered at more than one school).
5. State-funded primary schools include all primary academies, including free schools.
6. Special schools include maintained special schools, non-maintained special schools and special academies. Excludes general hospital schools, independent special schools and independent schools approved for SEN pupils.

Absence in Pupil Referral Units

• Filename: Absence_1term_201819_pru.csv
• Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
• Time period: 2013/14 Autumn term to 2018/19 Autumn term

Variable names and descriptions

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
num_prus	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_other	Number of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_religious	Number of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_study	Number of study leave 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_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

Footnotes

1. Pupil enrolments missing 10 percent or more of their own possible sessions (due to authorised or unauthorised absence) are classified as persistent absentees.
2. Absence rates are the number of absence sessions expressed as a percentage of the total number of possible sessions.
3. Includes all schools with at least six enrolments who reported absence information via the school census for the associated academic year.
4. The definition of persistent absence changed from the 2015/16 academic year - The information presented for years prior to 2015/16 has been produced using the same methodology in order to allow users to make comparisons on a consistent basis over time.
5. The percentage of persistent absentees is the number of persistent absentees expressed as a percentage of the total number of enrolments.
6. Number of enrolments includes pupils on the school roll for at least one session who are aged between 5 and 15, excluding boarders. Some pupils may be counted more than once (if they moved schools during the academic year or are registered in more than one school).

Absence in special schools

• Filename: Absence_1term_201819_special.csv
• Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
• Time period: 2016/17 Autumn term to 2018/19 Autumn term

Variable names and descriptions

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
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_other	Number of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_religious	Number of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_study	Number of study leave 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_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

Footnotes

1. Pupil enrolments missing 10 percent or more of their own possible sessions (due to authorised or unauthorised absence) are classified as persistent absentees.
2. Absence rates are the number of absence sessions expressed as a percentage of the total number of possible sessions.
3. Includes all schools with at least six enrolments who reported absence information via the school census for the associated academic year.
4. The definition of persistent absence changed from the 2015/16 academic year - The information presented for years prior to 2015/16 has been produced using the same methodology in order to allow users to make comparisons on a consistent basis over time.
5. The percentage of persistent absentees is the number of persistent absentees expressed as a percentage of the total number of enrolments.
6. Number of enrolments includes pupils on the school roll for at least one session who are aged between 5 and 15, excluding boarders. Some pupils may be counted more than once (if they moved schools during the academic year or are registered in more than one school).

Enrolments with one or more session of absence

• Filename: Absence_1term_201819_one_plus_sessions.csv
• Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
• Time period: 2006/07 Autumn term to 2018/19 Autumn term

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
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_other	Number of enrolments with at least one absence session due to other authorised circumstances
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_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
enrolments	Number of pupil enrolments
num_schools	Number of schools
school_type	School type - Filter by school type

Footnotes

1. Includes all schools with at least six enrolments who reported absence information via the school census for the associated academic year.
2. State-funded secondary schools include city technology colleges and all secondary academies, including all-through academies and free schools.
3. The number of enrolments with one or more session of absence for specific reason.
4. State-funded primary schools include all primary academies, including free schools.