Recent data from the Department for Education (DfE) reveals that a staggering 1.49 million pupils miss 10% of their lessons, a rate nearly double the pre-pandemic level of absenteeism in 2018/19. This while unemployment in young people is at a peak.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has also found that 103,600 were not in education, employment or training (NEET).
My 5 key takeaways on the findings:
A slight improvement in persistent absences
The persistent absence rate (pupils missing 10% or more of their possible sessions) has gone down to 20.0% in 2023/24. The fall was reflected across all school types, with the largest improvement in primary schools, where the rate dropped to 14.6%. Department for Education data shows that Year 6 pupils who attended nearly every day were twice as likely to achieve the standard in reading, writing and maths compared to persistently absent pupils, so it’s worth celebrating the success of efforts to re-engage younger pupils.
However, the fact that a quarter of secondary school students are still persistently absent is concerning. Missing just 10 days of year 11 reduces the likelihood of achieving grade 5 in English and Maths by around 50%, and the high absence rates in key stage 4 highlights the scale of the challenge ahead in closing the GCSE attainment gap.
A growing concern for severe absenteeism
While persistent absenteeism has slightly declined, severe absenteeism (pupils missing 50% or more of their possible sessions) rose to 2.3% equating to 171,000 pupils. The rise in severe absenteeism was observed across all school types, indicating that at the sharp end of the attendance crisis, more pupils are disconnecting from education at all key stages.
This trend is particularly concerning because pupils who attend just 50 to 55% of the time are twice as likely as pupils who are severely absent to achieve their expected grades. With severe absence rates now triple the pre-pandemic rates from 2018/19, there is a moral and social justice imperative to support the pupils that are at the highest risk of falling behind academically, disengaging entirely from school, and eventually becoming NEET.
The impact on young people's future prospects
The latest Labour Force Survey (LFS) shows that for 16-17-year-olds, the not in education, employment or training (NEET) rate stands at 4.6%, due to legislation requiring them to remain in education or training, but this rate spikes as soon as they turn 18.
In the 16-24 age group, 837,000 were NEET in England. This continues an upward trend of unemployment in young people since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis suggests over 1 in 6 of those NEET currently report having a mental health condition.
Even those in work raise the importance of their social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) with over two-fifths of those young people already in the workplace perceiving that their mental health is a barrier to their progression.
How absences in schools contribute to NEET rates
Pupils who miss large amounts of school struggle to catch up on missed work. They also miss out on opportunities to improve resilience and motivation by non-participation in extra-curricular activities and space to build solid relationships with their peers. Over time, this can result in low levels of transferable skills needed to succeed in the labour market such as communication, teamwork, and problem solving. This can make it harder for them to secure and thrive in employment, particularly in a competitive job market where adaptability is key.
Illness was the most common reason for absence in 2023/24, highlighting a vicious cycle where physical illness often leads to missed school, which in turn leads to isolation, anxiety, and low self-esteem, and other mental health issues that impact academic and life outcomes.
So how do we tackle the rising NEET rates and reduce school absences?
To reduce NEET rates and address the attendance crisis, early intervention is a crucial first step to equipping pupils with the skills and resilience they need to make the most of life and reduce unemployment rates in young people.
We at nurtureuk have always championed a graduated approach to improving outcomes. Given the rising incidence of mental health conditions among NEET young people, prioritising SEMH measurement using tools such as The Boxall Profile® and developing a whole school approach that supports all students, especially the most vulnerable students is key to ensuring that those that are most likely to become persistently or severely absent are supported with tailored interventions.
Around one-third of pupils do not feel like they belong at their school, according to the Department for Education. For students struggling with attendance, alternatives such as nurture groups could help re-engage them and keep them on track. Nurture group staff within schools tend to develop superior knowledge of the young person, leading to better support for parents towards ensuring access to relevant external services.
As we approach summer term, these findings by the Department for Education are a wake-up call for all stakeholders to prioritise the reforms that will foster the development of inclusive schools where young people feel safe and happy. An accountability system that values inclusion, SEMH and wellbeing is crucial if we want to tackle the attendance crisis and develop a more balanced education culture that promotes good mental health and improved life outcomes.
Insight & Research Manager | nurtureuk