Autumn term 2019/20

Pupil absence in schools in England: autumn term

Data guidance

Published

Description

This document describes the data included in the ‘Pupil absence in schools in England: Autumn 2019’ National Statistics release’s underlying data files. This data is released under the terms of the Open Government License (opens in a new tab) and is intended to meet at least 3 stars for Open Data (opens in a new tab).

The Guide to absence statistics (opens in a new tab) 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
  • state-funded special schools

It includes information on:

  • reasons for absence
  • persistent absentees
  • absence information for pupil referral units (including alternative provision academies and free schools)
  • absence by pupil characteristics (2019/20 only)

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

A guide on how we produce pupil absence statistics (opens in a new tab) is also available with further detail on the methods used. The underlying data files include national, regional, local authority and school level absence information from autumn 2006 to autumn 2019 for schools in England. Data from autumn 2006 to autumn 2015 cover primary and secondary schools only. Termly absence data has been collected from special schools from autumn 2016 and appears in the underlying data from that point.

File formats and conventions

Rounding

This dataset has not had suppression applied. Rates are presented to one decimal place in the report but are unrounded in the underlying data files

Conventions

The following convention is used throughout the underlying data. 

‘:’ Not applicable.

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 Local Authority by characteristics

Filename
absence_1term_201920_la_characteristics.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority
Time period
2019/20 Autumn term
Content

Absence information by pupil characteristics such as age, gender and ethnicity by local authority. Only available for 2019/20.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
characteristicCharacteristic - Filter by pupil characteristic
enrolmentsNumber of pupil enrolments
enrolments_PA_10_exactNumber of persistent absentees
enrolments_pa_10_exact_percentPercentage of persistent absentees
school_typeSchool type - Filter by school type
sess_authorisedNumber of authorised absence sessions
sess_authorised_appointmentsNumber of medical appointments sessions
sess_authorised_excludedNumber of excluded sessions
sess_authorised_ext_holidayNumber of extended authorised holiday sessions
sess_authorised_holidayNumber of authorised holiday sessions
sess_authorised_illnessNumber of illness sessions
sess_authorised_otherNumber of authorised other sessions
sess_authorised_pa_10_exactNumber of authorised absence sessions for persistent absentees
sess_authorised_percentAuthorised absence rate
sess_authorised_percent_pa_10_exactAuthorised absence rate exact
sess_authorised_religiousNumber of religious observance sessions
sess_authorised_studyNumber of study leave sessions
sess_authorised_totalreasonsNumber of authorised reasons sessions
sess_authorised_travellerNumber of traveller sessions
sess_overallNumber of overall absence sessions
sess_overall_pa_10_exactNumber of overall absence sessions for persistent absentees
sess_overall_percentOverall absence rate
sess_overall_percent_pa_10_exactOverall absence rate exact
sess_overall_totalreasonsNumber of overall reasons sessions
sess_possibleNumber of sessions possible
sess_possible_pa_10_exactNumber of sessions possible for persistent absentees
sess_unauthorisedNumber of unauthorised absence sessions
sess_unauthorised_holidayNumber of unauthorised holiday sessions
sess_unauthorised_lateNumber of late sessions
sess_unauthorised_noyetNumber of no reason yet sessions
sess_unauthorised_otherNumber of unauthorised other sessions
sess_unauthorised_pa_10_exactNumber of unauthorised absence sessions for persistent absentees
sess_unauthorised_percentUnauthorised absence rate
sess_unauthorised_percent_pa_10_exactUnauthorised absence rate exact
sess_unauthorised_totalreasonsNumber of unauthorised reasons sessions
Footnotes
  1. Characteristic data is only available in 19/20 for the Autumn term. For other years, further data on characteristics can be found in the Autumn and Spring two term release and the full year three term release.

Absence by percent bands

Filename
Absence_1term_one_percent_bands.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2006/07 Autumn term to 2019/20 Autumn term
Content

The number of pupil enrolments by overall, authorised and unauthorised absence percentage point bands. Primary and secondary only before 2016/17.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
enrolments_authorisedNumber of all pupil enrolments that fall into that per cent band for authorised absence
enrolments_authorised_percentPercentage of all pupil enrolments that fall into that per cent band for authorised absence
enrolments_overallNumber of all pupil enrolments that fall into that per cent band for overall absence
enrolments_overall_percentPercentage of all pupil enrolments that fall into that per cent band for overall absence
enrolments_unauthorisedNumber of all pupil enrolments that fall into that per cent band for unauthorised absence
enrolments_unauthorised_percentPercentage of all pupil enrolments that fall into that per cent band for unauthorised absence
percent_bandsAbsence percentage band - Filter by percentage of absence
school_typeSchool type - Filter by school type

Absence for 4 year olds

Filename
Absence_1term_4_year_olds.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2012/13 Autumn term to 2019/20 Autumn term
Content

Overall absence for all enrolments in state-funded primary, secondary and special schools for pupils aged 4. Primary and secondary only before 2016/17.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
enrolmentsNumber of pupil enrolments
num_schoolsNumber of schools
school_typeSchool type - Filter by school type
sess_overallNumber of overall absence sessions
sess_overall_percentOverall absence rate
sess_possibleNumber of sessions possible

Absence in Pupil Referral Units

Filename
Absence_1term_pru.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2013/14 Autumn term to 2019/20 Autumn term
Content

Absence information for pupil referral units (including alternative provision academies and free schools).

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
enrolmentsNumber of pupil enrolments
enrolments_PA_10_exactNumber of persistent absentees
enrolments_pa_10_exact_percentPercentage of persistent absentees
num_schoolsNumber of schools
sess_auth_appointmentsNumber of medical appointments sessions
sess_auth_excludedNumber of excluded sessions
sess_auth_ext_holidayNumber of extended authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_holidayNumber of authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_illnessNumber of illness sessions
sess_auth_otherNumber of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_religiousNumber of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_studyNumber of study leave sessions
sess_auth_totalreasonsNumber of authorised reasons sessions
sess_auth_travellerNumber of traveller sessions
sess_authorisedNumber of authorised absence sessions
sess_authorised_percentAuthorised absence rate
sess_overallNumber of overall absence sessions
sess_overall_percentOverall absence rate
sess_overall_totalreasonsNumber of overall reasons sessions
sess_possibleNumber of sessions possible
sess_unauth_holidayNumber of unauthorised holiday sessions
sess_unauth_lateNumber of late sessions
sess_unauth_noyetNumber of no reason yet sessions
sess_unauth_otherNumber of unauthorised other sessions
sess_unauth_totalreasonsNumber of unauthorised reasons sessions
sess_unauthorisedNumber of unauthorised absence sessions
sess_unauthorised_percentUnauthorised absence rate

Absence rates by geographic level

Filename
Absence_1term_nat_reg_la_sch_rates.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2006/07 Autumn term to 2019/20 Autumn term
Content

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. Primary and secondary only before 2016/17.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
enrolmentsNumber of pupil enrolments
enrolments_PA_10_exactNumber of persistent absentees
enrolments_pa_10_exact_percentPercentage of persistent absentees
num_schoolsNumber of schools
school_typeSchool type - Filter by school type
sess_auth_appointmentsNumber of medical appointments sessions
sess_auth_appointments_rateMedical appointments rate
sess_auth_excludedNumber of excluded sessions
sess_auth_excluded_rateExcluded rate
sess_auth_ext_holidayNumber of extended authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_ext_holiday_rateExtended authorised holiday rate
sess_auth_holidayNumber of authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_holiday_rateAuthorised holiday rate
sess_auth_illnessNumber of illness sessions
sess_auth_illness_rateIllness rate
sess_auth_otherNumber of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_other_rateAuthorised other rate
sess_auth_religiousNumber of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_religious_rateReligious observance rate
sess_auth_studyNumber of study leave sessions
sess_auth_study_rateStudy leave rate
sess_auth_totalreasonsNumber of authorised reasons sessions
sess_auth_totalreasons_rateAuthorised reasons rate
sess_auth_travellerNumber of traveller sessions
sess_auth_traveller_rateTraveller rate
sess_authorisedNumber of authorised absence sessions
sess_authorised_percentAuthorised absence rate
sess_overallNumber of overall absence sessions
sess_overall_percentOverall absence rate
sess_overall_totalreasonsNumber of overall reasons sessions
sess_overall_totalreasons_rateOverall reasons rate
sess_possibleNumber of sessions possible
sess_unauth_holidayNumber of unauthorised holiday sessions
sess_unauth_holiday_rateUnauthorised holiday rate
sess_unauth_lateNumber of late sessions
sess_unauth_late_rateLate rate
sess_unauth_noyetNumber of no reason yet sessions
sess_unauth_noyet_rateNo reason yet rate
sess_unauth_otherNumber of unauthorised other sessions
sess_unauth_other_rateUnauthorised other rate
sess_unauth_totalreasonsNumber of unauthorised reasons sessions
sess_unauth_totalreasons_rateUnauthorised reasons rate
sess_unauthorisedNumber of unauthorised absence sessions
sess_unauthorised_percentUnauthorised absence rate
Footnotes
  1. Total includes state-funded primary, secondary and special schools. Data for special schools is available from 2016/17 to present.
  2. Total includes state-funded primary and secondary schools. Does not include special schools. Available from 2006/07 to present (data for special schools is available from 2016/17 onwards).

Enrolments with one or more sessions of absence

Filename
Absence_1term_one_plus_sessions.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2006/07 Autumn term to 2019/20 Autumn term
Content

The number of enrolments with one or more session of absence, including by reason for absence. Primary and secondary only before 2016/17.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
enrol_auth_appointmentsNumber of enrolments with at least one absence session due to medical or dental appointments
enrol_auth_excludedNumber of enrolments with at least one absence session due to exclusion
enrol_auth_ext_holidayNumber of enrolments with at least one absence session due to agreed extended family holiday
enrol_auth_holidayNumber of enrolments with at least one absence session due to agreed family holiday
enrol_auth_illnessNumber of enrolments with at least one absence session due to illness
enrol_auth_otherNumber of enrolments with at least one absence session due to other authorised circumstances
enrol_auth_religiousNumber of enrolments with at least one absence session due to religious observance
enrol_auth_studyNumber of enrolments with at least one absence session due to study leave
enrol_auth_travellerNumber of enrolments with at least one absence session due to traveller absence
enrol_authorisedNumber of enrolments with at least one authorised absence session
enrol_overallNumber of enrolments with at least one overall absence session
enrol_unauth_holidayNumber of enrolments with at least one absence session due to family holiday not agreed
enrol_unauth_lateNumber of enrolments with at least one absence session due to arriving late
enrol_unauth_noyetNumber of enrolments with at least one absence session due to no reason yet
enrol_unauth_otherNumber of enrolments with at least one absence session due to other unauthorised circumstances
enrol_unauthorisedNumber of enrolments with at least one unauthorised absence session
enrolmentsNumber of pupil enrolments
num_schoolsNumber of schools
school_typeSchool type - Filter by school type

National absence by characteristics

Filename
absence_1term_201920_national_characteristics.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2019/20 Autumn term
Content

Absence information by pupil characteristics such as age, gender and ethnicity for England. Only available for 2019/20

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
characteristicCharacteristic - Filter by pupil characteristic
enrolmentsNumber of pupil enrolments
enrolments_pa_10_exactNumber of persistent absentees
enrolments_pa_10_exact_percentPercentage of persistent absentees
school_typeSchool type - Filter by school type
sess_auth_appointmentsNumber of medical appointments sessions
sess_auth_excludedNumber of excluded sessions
sess_auth_ext_holidayNumber of extended authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_holidayNumber of authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_illnessNumber of illness sessions
sess_auth_otherNumber of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_religiousNumber of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_studyNumber of study leave sessions
sess_auth_totalreasonsNumber of authorised reasons sessions
sess_auth_travellerNumber of traveller sessions
sess_authorisedNumber of authorised absence sessions
sess_authorised_pa_10_exactNumber of authorised absence sessions for persistent absentees
sess_authorised_percentAuthorised absence rate
sess_authorised_percent_pa_10_exactAuthorised absence rate exact
sess_overallNumber of overall absence sessions
sess_overall_pa_10_exactNumber of overall absence sessions for persistent absentees
sess_overall_percentOverall absence rate
sess_overall_percent_pa_10_exactOverall absence rate exact
sess_overall_totalreasonsNumber of overall reasons sessions
sess_possibleNumber of sessions possible
sess_possible_pa_10_exactNumber of sessions possible for persistent absentees
sess_unauth_holidayNumber of unauthorised holiday sessions
sess_unauth_lateNumber of late sessions
sess_unauth_noyetNumber of no reason yet sessions
sess_unauth_otherNumber of unauthorised other sessions
sess_unauth_totalreasonsNumber of unauthorised reasons sessions
sess_unauthorisedNumber of unauthorised absence sessions
sess_unauthorised_pa_10_exactNumber of unauthorised absence sessions for persistent absentees
sess_unauthorised_percentUnauthorised absence rate
sess_unauthorised_percent_pa_10_exactUnauthorised absence rate exact
Footnotes
  1. Characteristic data is only available in 19/20 for the Autumn term. For other years, further data on characteristics can be found in the Autumn and Spring two term release and the full year three term release.