For children who weren’t eligible for free school meals, unauthorised absence rates dropped to just 2 per cent for the North East, 1.8 per cent in the North West, and 2.1 per cent in Yorkshire.
This was 7.3 per cent in the North East of England and 6.5 per cent in the North West, compared to 4.2 per cent in London, and 5.4 per cent in the West Midlands.
“This government inherited an absence crisis but we remain laser-focused on tackling the problem and its drivers – ensuring attendance remains a key focus of school inspections, providing access to mental health professionals to all schools, and reforming the SEND system, so we deliver on our Plan for Change and every child achieves thrives in school.
Children refusing to go to school also feels connected to the pandemic, with people being out of school for so long.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Tackling the epidemic of school absence is everyone’s responsibility – government, schools, parents, and children – we need a national effort to get our kids back in the classroom.
