Academic year 2023/24

Pupil absence in schools in England

Data guidance

Published 20 March 2025

Description

This document describes the data included in the ‘Pupil absence in schools in England’ accredited official statistics release’s underlying data files. This data is released under the terms of the Open Government License (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab) and is intended to meet at least 3 stars for Open Data (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab). The methodology 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 one decimal place in the report but are unrounded in the underlying data files

Conventions

The following convention is used throughout the underlying data. 

‘x’  Not available.

‘z’  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.

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: 1_absence_3term_nat_reg_la.csv
• Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
• Time period: 2006/07 to 2023/24
• 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.

Variable names and descriptions

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_other	Number of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_other_rate	Authorised other 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_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_pa_10_exact	Number of authorised absence sessions (persistent absentees only)
sess_authorised_percent	Authorised absence rate
sess_authorised_percent_pa_10_exact	Authorised absence rate (persistent absentees only)
sess_overall	Number of overall absence sessions
sess_overall_pa_10_exact	Number of overall absence sessions (persistent absentees only)
sess_overall_percent	Overall absence rate
sess_overall_percent_pa_10_exact	Overall absence rate (persistent absentees only)
sess_overall_totalreasons	Number of overall reasons sessions
sess_overall_totalreasons_rate	Overall reasons rate
sess_possible	Number of sessions possible
sess_possible_pa_10_exact	Number of sessions possible (persistent absentees only)
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_pa_10_exact	Number of unauthorised absence sessions (persistent absentees only)
sess_unauthorised_percent	Unauthorised absence rate
sess_unauthorised_percent_pa_10_exact	Unauthorised absence rate (persistent absentees only)
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.

Absence by school level

• Filename: 1a_absence_3term_school.csv
• Geographic levels: School
• Time period: 2013/14 to 2023/24
• Content:
  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

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 severely absent pupils (50% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact_percent	Percentage of severely absent pupils (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_other	Number of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_other_rate	Authorised other 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_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_pa_10_exact	Number of authorised absence sessions (persistent absentees only)
sess_authorised_percent	Authorised absence rate
sess_authorised_percent_pa_10_exact	Authorised absence rate (persistent absentees only)
sess_overall	Number of overall absence sessions
sess_overall_pa_10_exact	Number of overall absence sessions (persistent absentees only)
sess_overall_percent	Overall absence rate
sess_overall_percent_pa_10_exact	Overall absence rate (persistent absentees only)
sess_overall_totalreasons	Number of overall reasons sessions
sess_overall_totalreasons_rate	Overall reasons rate
sess_possible	Number of sessions possible
sess_possible_pa_10_exact	Number of sessions possible (persistent absentees only)
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_pa_10_exact	Number of unauthorised absence sessions (persistent absentees only)
sess_unauthorised_percent	Unauthorised absence rate
sess_unauthorised_percent_pa_10_exact	Unauthorised absence rate (persistent absentees only)
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.

Enrolments with one or more sessions of absence

• Filename: 2_absence_3term_one_plus_sessions_nat_reg_la.csv
• Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
• Time period: 2012/13 to 2023/24
• Content:
  The number of enrolments with one or more session of absence, including by reason for absence.

Variable names and descriptions

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 enrolments with 1+ 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 enrolments with 1+ absence session due to agreed extended family holiday
enrol_auth_holiday	Number of enrolments with1+ 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 enrolments with 1+ absence session due to other authorised circumstances
enrol_auth_religious	Number of enrolments with 1+ 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 1+ 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 1+ 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 enrolments with 1+ absence session of other unauthorised circumstances
enrol_unauthorised	Number of enrolments with at least one unauthorised absence session
enrol_x_covid	Number enrolments with 1+ session not attending due to COVID circumstances
enrol_y_exceptional	Number of enrolments with 1+ 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.

Enrolments with one or more sessions of absence - school level

• Filename: 2a_absence_3term_one_plus_sessions_school.csv
• Geographic levels: School
• Time period: 2013/14 to 2023/24
• Content:
  The number of enrolments with one or more session of absence, including by reason for absence, at school level.

Variable names and descriptions

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 enrolments with 1+ 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 enrolments with 1+ absence session due to agreed extended family holiday
enrol_auth_holiday	Number of enrolments with1+ 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 enrolments with 1+ absence session due to other authorised circumstances
enrol_auth_religious	Number of enrolments with 1+ 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 1+ 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 1+ 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 enrolments with 1+ absence session of other unauthorised circumstances
enrol_unauthorised	Number of enrolments with at least one unauthorised absence session
enrol_x_covid	Number enrolments with 1+ session not attending due to COVID circumstances
enrol_y_exceptional	Number of enrolments with 1+ 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.

Absence as a percentage of possible sessions by band

• Filename: 3_absence_3term_one_pc_bands.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2013/14 to 2023/24
• Content:
  The number of pupil enrolments by overall, authorised and unauthorised absence percentage point bands.

Variable names and descriptions

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 pupil enrolments in that per cent band for authorised absence
enrolments_authorised_percent	Percentage of all pupil enrolments in that pc band for authorised absence
enrolments_illness	Number of pupil enrolments in that per cent band for illness absence
enrolments_illness_percent	Percentage of all pupil enrolmentsin that per cent band for illness absence
enrolments_overall	Number of pupil enrolments in that per cent band for overall absence
enrolments_overall_percent	Percentage of all pupil enrolments in that per cent band for overall absence
enrolments_sess_x_covid	Number of pupil enrolments in that per cent band for COVID non-attendance
enrolments_sess_x_covid_percent	Percentage of all pupil enrolments in that pc band for COVID non-attendance
enrolments_unauthorised	Number of pupil enrolments in that per cent band for unauthorised absence
enrolments_unauthorised_percent	Percentage of all pupil enrolments in that pc 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.

Absence for four year olds

• Filename: 4_absence_3term_4year_olds_nat_reg_la.csv
• Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
• Time period: 2012/13 to 2023/24
• Content:
  Overall absence for all enrolments in state-funded primary, secondary and special schools for pupils aged 4.

Variable names and descriptions

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.

Absence for four year olds - school level

• Filename: 4a_absence_3term_4year_olds_school.csv
• Geographic levels: School
• Time period: 2013/14 to 2023/24
• Content:
  School level overall absence for all enrolments in state-funded primary, secondary and special schools for pupils aged 4.

Variable names and descriptions

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. 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.

Absence in state-funded alternative provision

• Filename: 5_absence_3term_pru_nat_reg_la.csv
• Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
• Time period: 2013/14 to 2023/24
• Content:
  Absence information for full academic years 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

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 severely absent pupils (50% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact_percent	Percentage of severely absent pupils (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_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
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.

Absence in state-funded alternative provision - school level

• Filename: 5a_absence_3term_pru_school.csv
• Geographic levels: School
• Time period: 2013/14 to 2023/24
• Content:
  School level absence information for full academic years 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

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 severely absent pupils (50% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact_percent	Percentage of severely absent pupils (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_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
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.

Absence by pupil characteristics

• Filename: 6_absence_3term_characteristicsv3.csv
• Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
• Time period: 2017/18 to 2023/24
• Content:
  Absence information for the full academic year, by pupil characteristics including SEN, FSM, language, year group, gender and ethnicity for England.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
characteristic	Characteristic - Filter by characteristic
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 severely absent pupils (50% or more missed)
enrolments_pa_50_exact_percent	Percentage of severely absent pupils (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_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_other	Number of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_other_rate	Authorised other 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_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_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 exact
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 exact
sess_overall_totalreasons	Number of overall reasons sessions
sess_overall_totalreasons_rate	Overall reasons rate
sess_possible	Number of sessions possible
sess_possible_pa_10_exact	Number of sessions possible for persistent absentees
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_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 exact
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
sess_y_exceptional_rate	Rate 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.
3. 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. Time-series in this publication prior to spring 2023 which contained gender as a category may be affected.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Absence by geographic level - termly

• Filename: 10_absence_3term_reason_by_term.csv
• Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
• Time period: 2018/19 Autumn term to 2023/24 Summer term
• Content:
  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

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	Enrolments
enrolments_pa_10_exact	Number of persistent absentees
enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent	Persistent absence rate
enrolments_pa_50_exact	Number of severe absentees
enrolments_pa_50_exact_percent	Severe absence rate
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_other	Number of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_other_rate	Authorised other 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_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_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.

Absence for pupils identified as young carers

• Filename: 13_absence_3term_youngcarer.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2022/23 to 2023/24
• Content:
  Overall absence for all enrolments in state-funded primary, secondary and special schools for pupils declared as young carers

Variable names and descriptions

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
enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent	Percentage of persistent absentees
sess_auth_appointments	Number of medical appointments sessions
sess_auth_appointments_rate	Rate of medical appointments sessions
sess_auth_excluded	Number of excluded sessions
sess_auth_excluded_rate	Rate of excluded sessions
sess_auth_holiday	Number of authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_holiday_rate	Rate of authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_illness	Number of illness sessions
sess_auth_illness_rate	Rate of illness sessions
sess_auth_other	Number of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_other_rate	Rate of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_religious	Number of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_religious_rate	Rate of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_study	Number of study leave sessions
sess_auth_study_rate	Rate of study leave sessions
sess_auth_totalreasons	Number of authorised reasons sessions
sess_auth_totalreasons_rate	Rate of authorised reasons sessions
sess_auth_traveller	Number of traveller sessions
sess_auth_traveller_rate	Rate 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_overall_totalreasons_rate	Rate of overall reasons sessions
sess_possible	Number of sessions possible
sess_unauth_holiday	Number of unauthorised holiday sessions
sess_unauth_holiday_rate	Rate of unauthorised holiday sessions
sess_unauth_late	Number of late sessions
sess_unauth_late_rate	Rate of late sessions
sess_unauth_noyet	Number of no reason yet sessions
sess_unauth_noyet_rate	Rate of no reason yet sessions
sess_unauth_other	Number of unauthorised other sessions
sess_unauth_other_rate	Rate of unauthorised other sessions
sess_unauth_totalreasons	Number of unauthorised reasons sessions
sess_unauth_totalreasons_rate	Rate 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_x_covid_rate	Rate of sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances
sess_y_exceptional	Number of sessions recorded as exceptional circumstances
sess_y_exceptional_rate	Rate of sessions recorded as exceptional circumstances
young_carer	Young Carer - Filter by characteristic

Footnotes

1. Total includes state-funded primary, secondary and special schools. Data for special schools is available from 2016/17 to present.
2. Data on absence rates for young carers is available for the first time from 2022/23. As this is a new data collection, we expect the quality of the data returns to improve over time as the collection becomes established. All schools (except nursery) must send this information as part of the Spring school census, but the recording and handling of the information is at the school’s discretion. 79% of schools recorded no young carers in 2023.
3. Total includes state-funded primary, secondary and special schools.

Absence for pupils with post looked after arrangements (PLAA)

• Filename: 12_absence_3term_plaa.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2023/24
• Content:
  Overall absence for all enrolments in state-funded primary, secondary and special schools for pupils with post looked after arrangements

Variable names and descriptions

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
enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent	Percentage of persistent absentees
plaa	Post looked after arrangement - Filter by characteristic
sess_auth_appointments	Number of medical appointments sessions
sess_auth_appointments_rate	Rate of medical appointments sessions
sess_auth_excluded	Number of excluded sessions
sess_auth_excluded_rate	Rate of excluded sessions
sess_auth_holiday	Number of authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_holiday_rate	Rate of authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_illness	Number of illness sessions
sess_auth_illness_rate	Rate of illness sessions
sess_auth_other	Number of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_other_rate	Rate of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_religious	Number of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_religious_rate	Rate of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_study	Number of study leave sessions
sess_auth_study_rate	Rate of study leave sessions
sess_auth_totalreasons	Number of authorised reasons sessions
sess_auth_totalreasons_rate	Rate of authorised reasons sessions
sess_auth_traveller	Number of traveller sessions
sess_auth_traveller_rate	Rate 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_overall_totalreasons_rate	Rate of overall reasons sessions
sess_possible	Number of sessions possible
sess_unauth_holiday	Number of unauthorised holiday sessions
sess_unauth_holiday_rate	Rate of unauthorised holiday sessions
sess_unauth_late	Number of late sessions
sess_unauth_late_rate	Rate of late sessions
sess_unauth_noyet	Number of no reason yet sessions
sess_unauth_noyet_rate	Rate of no reason yet sessions
sess_unauth_other	Number of unauthorised other sessions
sess_unauth_other_rate	Rate of unauthorised other sessions
sess_unauth_totalreasons	Number of unauthorised reasons sessions
sess_unauth_totalreasons_rate	Rate 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_x_covid_rate	Rate of sessions recorded as not attending due to COVID circumstances
sess_y_exceptional	Number of sessions recorded as exceptional circumstances
sess_y_exceptional_rate	Rate 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.
3. Numbers rounded to nearest 10, 1 to 5 suppressed to preserve confidentiality, zero shown as zero.
4. Data is not available for all children who have post looked after arrangements.  The information is taken from the school census, where children are reported as having previously left care due to adoption, a special guardianship order (SGO) or a child arrangements order (CAO) only if their parents/carers have declared this information to the school. Therefore, the data is reliant on self-declaration from parents and is a partial rather than a full count.

Absence by pupil characteristics - termly

• Filename: 6b_absence_3term_characteristics_termly.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 Autumn term to 2023/24 Summer term
• Content:
  Absence information at national level for the full academic year, by each term, by pupil characteristics including SEN, FSM, language, year group, gender and ethnicity for England.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
characteristic	Characteristic - Filter by characteristic
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
enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent	Percentage of persistent absentees
sess_auth_appointments	Number of medical appointments sessions
sess_auth_appointments_rate	Rate of medical appointments sessions
sess_auth_excluded	Number of excluded sessions
sess_auth_excluded_rate	Rate of excluded sessions
sess_auth_holiday	Number of authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_holiday_rate	Rate of authorised holiday sessions
sess_auth_illness	Number of illness sessions
sess_auth_illness_rate	Rate of illness sessions
sess_auth_other	Number of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_other_rate	Rate of authorised other sessions
sess_auth_religious	Number of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_religious_rate	Rate of religious observance sessions
sess_auth_study	Number of study leave sessions
sess_auth_study_rate	Rate of study leave sessions
sess_auth_totalreasons	Number of authorised reasons sessions
sess_auth_totalreasons_rate	Rate of authorised reasons sessions
sess_auth_traveller	Number of traveller sessions
sess_auth_traveller_rate	Rate 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 exact
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 exact
sess_overall_totalreasons	Number of overall reasons sessions
sess_overall_totalreasons_rate	Rate of overall reasons sessions
sess_possible	Number of sessions possible
sess_possible_pa_10_exact	Number of sessions possible for persistent absentees
sess_unauth_holiday	Number of unauthorised holiday sessions
sess_unauth_holiday_rate	Rate of unauthorised holiday sessions
sess_unauth_late	Number of late sessions
sess_unauth_late_rate	Rate of late sessions
sess_unauth_noyet	Number of no reason yet sessions
sess_unauth_noyet_rate	Rate of no reason yet sessions
sess_unauth_other	Number of unauthorised other sessions
sess_unauth_other_rate	Rate of unauthorised other sessions
sess_unauth_totalreasons	Number of unauthorised reasons sessions
sess_unauth_totalreasons_rate	Rate 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 exact
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
sess_y_exceptional_rate	Rate 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.
2. 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. Time-series in this publication prior to spring 2023 which contained gender as a category may be affected.
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. Total includes state-funded primary, secondary and special schools.