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Absence data and expectations
- Attendance data: pupil referral units (PRUs) View the absence data for PRUs, including overall, authorised, unauthorised and persistent absence rates. Find out how dual registered pupils count in the data.
- Attendance data: pupils eligible for FSM Have a look at the national absence data for pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM) in state-funded primary, secondary and special schools. Compare this to data for pupils who are not eligible for FSM.
- Attendance: national, LA and school data Compare your school's attendance data to others locally and nationally, using our templates and summary of the data. We explain how the data is collected, and where you can find your own attendance data.
- Attendance: persistent absence threshold and statistics School-age pupils are persistent absentees if they miss 10% of sessions or more. Learn how to analyse your data and see the national statistics.
- Attendance: the legal requirements How many days a year can a child be legally absent from school? We set out the legal requirements relating to school attendance that apply to parents. You will also find information on when absence should be authorised, and when headteachers are permitted to authorise absence.
- Does the DfE set attendance targets? Does the DfE set attendance targets? The DfE does not set attendance targets. We relay information from the DfE and explain that the government lowered the threshold for persistent absence in 2015. We refer to attendance targets from schools and link to related articles from The Key.
- Persistent lateness Read on to find strategies for reducing persistent lateness. We also look at whether parents can be fined.
- Study leave for pupils Schools can grant study leave to students for public exams. Learn which absence codes to use, and whether study leave counts towards attendance figures. We also explain that schools should still make provision for pupils who want to come into school to revise.