William Eichler 18 March 2025

School absences up two-thirds since before pandemic

School absences up two-thirds since before pandemic image
Image: Simon Kadula / Shutterstock.com.

Absences and suspensions from school are two-thirds higher than before the pandemic, according to a new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).

The think tank found that children lost 6.8 million days of learning in the autumn term before the Covid pandemic (2019/20) due to suspensions and absences.

However, according to the research – which was co-produced with the charity, The Difference – this jumped to 11.5 million days in the same period in 2023/24 – an increase of 67%.

The report also revealed that for every child that is permanently excluded, 10 others experience an ‘invisible’ move that isn’t recorded in national data or overseen by local authorities or trusts.

Efua Poku-Amanfo, research fellow at IPPR, said: ‘Since the pandemic, huge swathes of children have never returned, are being excluded or are mysteriously absent. Without urgent action to tackle lost learning, we risk failing the most disadvantaged children – those who could gain the most from an inclusive education system.’

Cllr Arooj Shah, chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said councils currently lack the powers to ensure children who miss school are supported.

She acknowledged that the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will give councils the ability to maintain Children Not in School registers but added that ‘additional funding’ was required for this responsibility.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Standards, Compliance and Development Manager - Children’s residential provisions

Oxfordshire County Council
£57187.00 - £60485.00
This role will lead on Quality Assurance, Standards development, and Regulatory compliance for Oxfordshire’s residential children’s provision, including the unregulated reforms 2022. The post holder will conduct internal inspections within the registe Countywide
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Streetcare LGV Driver / Operative - WMF2112e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£27,711 - £28,624
Westmorland and Furness Council are seeking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated person into a Street Cleansing role Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Specialist Communication Support Worker (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Apprentice Social Value

Durham County Council
£14,566
Earn. Learn. Qualify.   Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, dev Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pay Reward and Employment Services Support Officers

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) Pay Award Pending
An exciting opportunity has arisen for ten Pay, Reward & Employment Services Support Officers to join our CIPP accredited team.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?  Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner