Attendance figures for the spring term 2025 show that absence in primary schools stands at 5.3% – of which 1.3% was unauthorised absence.
Persistent absence, meanwhile – pupils who miss at least 10% of school – is running at 16.3%.
While the figures continue to be notably above pre-pandemic levels, progress is being made year-on-year.
The figures compare to the spring term 2024 when absence stood at 5.7% (of which 1.4% was unauthorised). Persistent absence a year ago stood at 17.9%.
It comes after the annual conference of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) heard calls for attendance accountability to be spread fairly between schools, families, and local authorities.
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