Pupil absence in schools in England
Pupil absence, including overall, authorised and unauthorised absence and persistent absence by reason and pupil characteristics for the full academic year.
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Headline facts and figures
Overall and persistent absence rates decreased compared to the previous autumn and spring terms combined, while the severe absence rate increased.
- The overall absence rate fell to 6.60% in combined autumn and spring terms 2025/26, down from 6.63% in the previous autumn and spring terms, though still above pre-pandemic levels when they were consistently below 5%.
- Illness continues to be the most common reason for absence, accounting for 3.30% of possible sessions. The level of absence due to illness was lower than the same period of 2024/25 (3.38%), but remains higher than the pre-pandemic levels.
- 17.50% of pupils were persistently absent in combined autumn and spring terms 2025/26 (i.e. missed 10% or more sessions), down from 17.63% in the same period of 2024/25.
- 2.32% of pupils were severely absent in combined autumn and spring terms 2025/26 (i.e. missed 50% or more sessions), up from 2.26% in the same period of 2024/25.
Data covering the 2025/26 full academic year, derived from regular data automatically submitted to the DfE by participating schools, are available in the Pupil attendance in schools publication. This release shows an increase in overall and persistent absence compared to the 2024/25 academic year and shows the latest absence trends for participating schools, which are likely to be reflected in future releases of the pupil absence statistics.
Background information
This accredited official statistics release looks at pupil absence in the autumn and spring terms in 2025/26, including by reason and school types, derived from the school census.
Official statistics produced from daily data submitted automatically by schools to the Department are available in the Pupil attendance in schools publication. Due to the timeliness of the data and that they are based on a subset of schools, those figures are estimates that we expect to change as registers are adjusted. They should be viewed as an early indicator for the data provided in later accredited official statistics releases.
This release is derived from the school census from which further analysis, such as school level absence rates and additional characteristics, can be produced unlike the daily data.
The Department for Education has been publishing information on pupil absence based on the school census since 2010. This is currently published termly and provides detailed information on persistent absence, geographical variations and pupil characteristics. Indicative figures on most data points are also published on a fortnightly basis in the pupil attendance in schools publication.
We welcome feedback from users on this release and the underlying data files. Please email us with any comments or suggestions.
Overall absence
Absence rate is the total number of sessions missed due to absence for all pupils as a percentage of the total number of possible sessions for all pupils. One session is equal to half a day.
Autumn and spring terms combined
Overall absence decreased compared to the previous combined autumn and spring term
The overall absence rate decreased to 6.60% in autumn and spring terms 2025/26, down from 6.63% in the same period in 2024/25. This is still above pre-pandemic levels of under 5%. The authorised absence rate decreased by 0.06 percentage points, while the unauthorised absence rate increased by 0.02 percentage points.
Overall absence decreased across all school types except special schools
Compared with the combined autumn and spring terms 2024/25, overall absence in the combined autumn and spring terms 2025/26:
- decreased in primary schools from 5.16% to 5.13% (down 0.03pp)
- decreased in secondary schools from 8.09% to 8.01% (down by 0.08pp)
- increased in special schools from 12.77% to 12.86% (up 0.09pp)
Authorised absence rates decreased in all school types. Unauthorised absence rates increased in primary and special schools, but decreased slightly in secondary.
The most common reason recorded for absence continued to be illness
Illness remained the most common reason recorded for absence, accounting for 3.30% of possible sessions. This represents a decrease from 3.38% across the previous autumn and spring terms and remains above the pre-pandemic trend, which was typically below 3%.
Some changes to absence codes were introduced at the start of the 2024/25 academic year, as set out in the working together to improve school attendance (opens in new tab). Since then, absence for holidays during term time can not be authorised and new codes were introduced to record authorised absences due to attending an interview, taking part in a regulated performance, or having a temporary part-time timetable.
Spring term
Overall absence has increased from autumn 2025/26 to spring 2025/26
The overall absence rate increased from 6.47% in autumn 2025/26 to 6.76% in spring 2025/26, with increases across all school types. An increase from autumn to spring term also occurred in the two previous academic years.
Persistent and severe absence
A pupil enrolment is identified as persistently absent if they miss 10% or more of their possible sessions, and severely absent if they miss 50% or more of their possible sessions.
Autumn and spring terms combined
Rates of persistent absence decreased and severe absence increased compared to the previous autumn and spring terms
1.27 million (17.50%) pupils were persistently absent in the combined autumn and spring terms 2025/26, a decrease from 1.29 million (17.63%) in the same period of 2024/25.
168,000 (2.32%) pupils were severely absent in combined autumn & spring terms 2025/26, an increase from 166,000 (2.26%) in the same period of 2024/25.
Persistent absence rates decreased across all school types
In the combined autumn and spring term 2025/25, compared with the same period in 2024/25, the rate of persistent absence:
- decreased in primary schools, from 13.31% to 13.25% (down 0.06pp)
- decreased in secondary schools, from 21.86% to 21.55% (down 0.31 pp)
- decreased in special schools, from 35.21% to 34.72% (down 0.49pp)
Severe absence rates increased in primary and special schools and decreased in secondary schools
Between combined Autumn and spring term 2024/25 and 2025/26, the rate of severe absence:
- increased in primary schools, from 0.92% to 1.05% (up 0.13pp)
- decreased in secondary schools, from 3.62% to 3.57% (down 0.05pp)
- increased in special schools, from 6.66% to 6.88% (up 0.22pp)
A further breakdown of pupil enrolments by the percentage of sessions missed is available in the data catalogue of this release.
Please note: these pupils were recorded on the school census as being on the roll of a school, and had possible sessions recorded during the academic year. For information on the number of children who are not in education, please see: Children missing education.
Spring term
The persistent and severe absence rates increased from autumn to spring 2025/26
The persistent absence rate increased from 18.10% in autumn 2025/26 to 18.66% in spring 2025/26. The severe absence rate increased from 2.12% in autumn 2025/26 to 2.32% in spring. Persistent absence increased in primary and secondary but decreased in special schools. Severe absence decreased in primary but increased across the other school types.
In the two preceeding academic years, persistent and severe absence also increased from autumn to spring.
Pupil characteristics
The following section looks at absence rates by pupil characteristics, including Free school meal (FSM) eligibility, Special educational needs (SEN) provision, year group, sex and ethnicity. Data for unclassified or unknown characteristics are not presented in the tables due to low numbers, which lead to volatile rates.
For context, during the combined autumn and spring terms 2025/26, the overall absence rate for all pupils was 6.60%. The persistent absence rate was 17.50%, while the severe absence rate was 2.32%.
Free school meals (FSM) eligibility
Absence rates continued to be higher for pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM)
Compared to the combined autumn and spring terms 2024/25, overall absence remained stable for FSM eligible pupils, and decreased for non-FSM eligible pupils.
Persistent absence rates decreased for both groups. In contrast, severe absence rates increased for FSM eligible pupils and decreased slightly for non-FSM eligible pupils.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Absence rates continued to be higher for pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Overall absence for pupils with education, health and care (EHC) plan increased, while overall absence rates decreased for pupils with SEN support and pupils with no identified SEN.
Both persistent absence and severe absence rates increased for pupils with EHC plans, but decreased for SEN support and no identified SEN. Compared to pupils with no identified SEN, pupils with EHC plans are over seven times as likely to be severe absentees, while pupils receiving SEN support are almost four times as likely.
Year group
Absence rates continued to peak in Years 10 and 11
Generally, from year 3 absence rates increase as age increases. The highest overall absence and severe absence rates were in Year 11 at 9.58% and 4.60% respectively. Persistent absence was highest in Year 10 at 24.68%.
Ethnicity
Across autumn and spring terms 2025/26, Irish Traveller and Gypsy/Roma pupils had the highest overall absence rates at 20.74% and 16.50% respectively. However, caution is recommended when interpreting the rates for these ethnic groups due to relatively small population sizes. Chinese and Black African pupils had the lowest overall absence at 2.84% and 3.62%, respectively. Irish Traveller and Gypsy/Roma pupils also had the highest persistent and severe absence rates, continuing trends seen in previous years.
Sex
Female pupils continued to have slightly higher overall and persistent absence rates
Compared to the previous combined autumn and spring terms, overall and persistent absence rates during autumn and spring 2025/26 decreased for both female and male pupils. Female pupils continued to have slightly higher overall, persistent absence and severe absence compared to male pupils.
Ethnicity by FSM eligibility
Further information on absence rates by ethnicity and FSM eligibility is available in the data catalogue, or you can create your own tables using the table tool.
Geographical variations
Absence rates continued to be lowest in London and highest in the North East
London had the lowest absence rates across all absence types, with overall absence at 6.04%, persistent absence at 16.56% and severe absence at 1.61%.
The North East had the highest overall (7.10%) and persistent absence (18.95%) rates, while Yorkshire and The Humber had the highest severe absence rate (2.78%).
Overall absence rates varied across local authorities, from 4.42% in the City of London (which contained one school) to 8.20% in Knowsley. Trafford had the second lowest overall absence rate at 5.17%.
Absence in state-funded alternative provision
State-funded alternative provision (AP) includes Pupil referral unit (PRUs), alternative provision academies and alternative provision free schools.
Absence in state-funded alternative provision increased compared to previous combined autumn & spring term
Overall absence in state-funded AP was 42.27% in autumn and spring terms 2025/26, up from 42.04% in the same period in 2024/25. Both persistent and severe absence continued to increase, compared to the autumn and spring terms 2024/25. The increase in overall absence was driven by an increase in unauthorised absence.
Further absence and attendance data sources
Further data from this release is available in the data catalogue, or you can create your own tables using the table tool including:
- absence by pupil characteristics including SEN primary need
- pupil enrolments with one or more absences
- school level absence
- absence for 4 year olds
Official statistics produced from daily data submitted automatically by schools to the Department are available in the Pupil attendance in schools publication. Due to the timeliness of the data the figures are estimates that we expect to change as registers are adjusted. They should be viewed as an early indicator for the data provided in later accredited official statistics releases.
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.ukContact name: Attendance and exclusions statistics team
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If you have a media enquiry:
Telephone: 020 7783 8300
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If you have a general enquiry about the Department for Education (DfE) or education:
Phone: 0370 000 2288
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