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The number of children missing more than half of school hit a record high this spring, new Department for Education figures reveal.
According to analysis by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), 160,497 pupils were classed as severely absent during the Spring 2025 term — a 167% increase on pre-pandemic levels.
While the number of persistently absent pupils (those missing over 10% of sessions) fell by 7.2% compared with Spring 2024, the problem remains widespread, with 1.44 million children still persistently absent – 56% higher than before the pandemic.
Children receiving free school meals were found to be 3.5 times more likely to be severely absent than their peers, while pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) were 5.6 times more likely.
The CSJ’s recent inquiry into the “school absence crisis” warned that failure to reverse current trends could result in an additional 180,000 young people leaving education without work or training opportunities, carrying a £14 billion lifetime cost to the economy.
Researchers also found shifting parental attitudes towards attendance, with half of parents believing it is “reasonable” for their child to miss one in every ten days of school — despite evidence that persistently absent pupils can earn £10,000 less by age 28.
The think tank has called on government to take “urgent and coordinated action” to tackle the root causes of non-attendance. Its proposals include:
A mandatory Attendance Awareness course for parents of truanting pupils, modelled on speed awareness classes, with fines of up to £200 for those who refuse to attend.
The national rollout of attendance mentors to support families of severely absent children, particularly those with complex needs or SEND.
An additional five hours a week of enrichment and extracurricular activities, including a “Right to Sport” guaranteeing two hours of physical activity per week.
Expansion of Family Hubs and teacher training focused on parental engagement.
A renewed drive to increase work experience opportunities and reconnect education with employment pathways.
Ben Gregg, senior researcher at the CSJ, said:
“School attendance changes lives and so teachers, parents and ministers all deserve credit for pushing persistent absence down.
But the data also tells a darker story — a new record in severe absence has been smashed. To rescue the young people on the margins of the education system and repair broken Britain, ministers must adopt our plan to end the absence crisis once and for all.”
The recommendations are under consideration by ministers ahead of the forthcoming Schools White Paper.
