'Chronic' school absences have barely improved since covid

In the 2023/24 school year, 35% of students in Deis urban band one schools and 31% of students in special schools missed 20 or more days of school. Stock Picture: PA

Pandemic-era “chronic” school absenteeism shows little sign of improvement, as 35% of children attending the most disadvantaged schools are missing at least a month of school.

Schools in poorer areas and special schools are experiencing higher rates of school absences than mainstream schools in more affluent locations, new analysis shows.