Pupils more likely to miss school on their birthday
Pupils are up to 55 per cent more likely to miss school on their birthdays, according to new government absence analysis. Department for Education research also shows pupils are missing school after medical appointment and when the term ends with a “broken week”. The DfE has also produced new guidance for schools on how to communicate with parents about attendance. Common absences The DfE analysed school attendance patterns for years 1 to 11 in 2023-24. Across all pupils, overall absence rates were higher on birthdays. This gap peaked in year 8, when pupils are almost 55 per cent more likely to be absent on their birthday. Analysis also found that pupils were missing more of the school day after a medical or dental appointment. If pupils had an appointment during the morning session, just 54 per cent were present for the afternoon session. However, many of these pupils were recorded as having another medical appointment (39 per cent). Absence rates were higher in schools that had a broken week at the end of term. Analysis …
