April 13, 2026
Record numbers missing over half of school, new data reveals
- 176,000 pupils missed more than 50 per cent of classes in 2024/25, up threefold since 2018/19
- Persistent absence down 10 per cent compared to 2023/24 but 1.34 million children still persistently absent in 2024/25, 74 per cent higher than before the pandemic
- 89 million days of school missed last year, 29 million more than in 2018/19
- Half of all parents polled say it is “reasonable” to miss one in every 10 days of school despite £10,000 income loss by age 28
Pupils missing more than half of classes hit an annual record high last year, according to new figures from the Department for Education.
An analysis published today by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) found that while ministers have made “encouraging progress” tackling persistent absence (pupils missing over 10 per cent of classes), severe absence (pupils missing over 50 per cent) is continuing to spiral upwards.
176,361 pupils were severely absent in 2024/25. This is up by threefold (193 per cent) since before the pandemic.
By contrast, persistent absence fell by 10 per cent compared to 2023/2024. However, with 1.34 million pupils, that is, one in five, missing more than one in ten days of school, absenteeism remains 74 per cent higher than the pre pandemic norm, with devastating consequences for life chances and the economy.
In total, the CSJ estimates that the equivalent of 89 million school days were lost to absence last year. This is 29 million more days of lost learning compared to attendance rates in 2018/19.
Daniel Lilley, Head of Youth at the CSJ, said:
“A good education can provide a golden ticket to a better life, but in order to take advantage of it you need to be at school.
“The government has made encouraging steps in improving overall absence, but this is the low hanging fruit. Meanwhile, the number of vulnerable pupils missing more school than they attend has hit yet another tragic record.
“To rescue these young people falling out of the education system, ministers must adopt our plan to take on the root causes of this disaster of missed learning.”
