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The latest national statistics on pupil absence produced by the Department for Children, Schools and Families were released on 21st October 2008 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics AuthorityUK Statistics Authority

DCSF: Pupil Absence in Schools in England: Autumn Term 2007 and Spring Term 2008

DescriptionStatistics on pupil absence are published as Pupil Absence in Schools in England: Autumn Term 2007 and Spring Term 2008 and include data from England covering absence rates and the numbers and percentages of pupil enrolments classed as persistent absentees.

The latest statistics report on the period autumn term 2007 and spring term 2008 and update those previously released on 25 October 2007.

The key points from the latest release are:

  • For primary and state funded secondary schools the 6.26% of possible half days are missed due to absence.


  • 4.4% of pupil enrolments are classed as persistent absentees, typically missing 20% or more of possible half days of attendance.
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Additional informationEXCEL (Additional Local Authority level absence information for maintained primary, maintained secondary schools and absence rates for state funded secondary schools)
Reference IDSFR30/2008
Coverage Country England
Date Released21 October 2008
Main Category Education and Skills
Sub CategorySchools    Click on subcategory link to see if there is later information
TypeStatistical First Release
ContactSchools Statistical Team  schools.statistics@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk   
PreRelease AccessClick here
 Publication includes individual Local Authority informationPublication includes individual Local Authority information

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