Soaring school absence behind growing attainment gap, report finds

17 March 2 mins read Joanne Parkes Education Special Educational Needs & Disabilities

Disadvantaged pupils are falling behind their peers at “disturbing” rates due to accelerating school absence since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to analysis published today.

The scheme offers targeted interventions for vulnerable children. Picture: Adobe Stock

The trend in school absence among disadvantaged pupils may be partly due to poor support for special educational needs and disabilities, suggests the Education Policy Institute. Picture: AndreaObserova/AdobeStock

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.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits: