The number of children absent from school for long periods has continued to rise to record levels, according to the latest figures.
The Centre for Social Justice says 140,000 children were severely absent in the summer term 2022, meaning they spent more time absent than present.
This is a rise of 50% since absence levels first went up in Autumn 2020 because of the pandemic and the highest so far recorded.
The CSJ says the Government has recognised the importance of school attendance and has taken several steps to tackle school absence including new guidance setting out a multi-agency approach.
But it says this does not go far enough and ‘far too often, schools and local authorities are unable to provide the support that children need to access education.’
The CSJ’s report, Lost and Not Found, says getting the absent children back into school is an issue of social justice.
‘Children who are supported to attend school are happier, healthier, and have access to the very best opportunities in life,’ it says.
‘Studies from the Department for Education show that every single day of school lost can hamper a child’s GCSE results.
‘Children who were regularly absent from school are also much more likely to become unemployed as adults.’
