More pupils in England off school after Christmas break than last year – figures
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The number of pupils in England off school without permission at the start of this term has risen compared with last year, figures suggest. Data from the Department for Education (DfE) shows the unauthorised absence rate across state schools in England was 2.7% in the week ending January 10 – the first week of term following the Christmas holidays.
This was higher than the equivalent week in 2024 – the week ending January 12 – when the rate was 2.5%, according to the DfE. It comes as parents in England face higher fines if they take their children out of class without permission this academic year as part of a Government drive to boost school attendance since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The latest DfE data also shows the overall absence rate – authorised and unauthorised – was 6.9% in the week ending January 10. This was higher than the equivalent week in 2024 when the overall absence rate was 6.6%. This has been driven by an increase in unauthorised absences, the DfE said.
School absence fines have increased from £60 to £80, and a parent who receives a second fine for the same child within a three-year period will automatically receive a £160 fine. Under new national rules, all schools are required to consider a fine when a child has missed 10 or more sessions (five days) for unauthorised reasons.
