The attainment gap at age 16 grew to 18.6 months, an increase of 0.5 months, between 2019 and 2023, according to research by think-tank Education Policy Institute (EPI).
The gap is also widening for the youngest pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with the gap between SEND-supported reception pupils and their peers falling to 4.6 months, an increase of 0.7 months, during the same period.
EPI links the trend of missing school among disadvantaged groups in part to difficulties in accessing SEND and mental health support, as well as an erosion of the relationship between families and schools.
The findings are in the report, 'Breaking down the gap: The role of school absence and pupil characteristics’, which contains several recommendations for the government to tackle the problem.
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