Working together to improve school attendance
Pupil absence in schools in England: autumn and spring terms - 2021/22
On 20th October 2022, the DfE released data that looks at pupil absence in the autumn and spring terms 2021/22, including by reason and school types.
Data is given on pupil absences as well as where a pupil was recorded as not attending in circumstances relating to coronavirus (Code X).
For the autumn and spring terms 2021/22, this category should mostly have been used to record where a pupil was absent from school with symptoms of COVID-19 whilst awaiting the results of a test. This differs to previous years when this code was also used where pupils were advised to shield, were quarantining after returning from abroad, were in class bubbles advised to isolate and where pupils were not expected to attend in person during periods of national restrictions (during which, schools were expected to provide remote education).
Throughout the pandemic, schools were advised to record pupils with a confirmed case of COVID-19 as absent due to illness (Code I).
https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/pupil-absence-in-schools-in-england-autumn-and-spring-terms
You can view featured tables, or create your own tables from the open data using our table tool
https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/pupil-absence-in-schools-in-england-autumn-and-spring-terms
Reminders
- There are some really useful effective practice attendance webinars produced by the DfE in conjunction with schools, with good or improved attendance, sharing their good practice.
- Attendance resources are available on the Education Huband Teaching Blogs
- Sign up to share your daily attendance data with the DfE. 65% of schools In England are now sharing. It will become a requirement at some point this academic year.
- Schools can now use a public data dashboard to compare themselves with up-to-date national, regional and local authority figures for pupil attendance and absence in England. This will be updated every 2 weeks. You can sign upto take part in research and give feedback to help the DfE develop the reports.
- New guidanceis now in place on the role of schools, trusts, governing bodies and local authorities.
- The code ‘X’ code can no longer be used in the attendance register to record COVID-19 related absence.
Contact Us
If you wish to discuss any issues relating to school attendance, please feel free to contact the Warwickshire Attendance Service:
was@warwickshire.gov.uk