National context
Nationally school attendance has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. There has been a gradual recovery in overall absence which remains around 6-7% (compared to under 5% pre- 2020).
Attention has now shifted to persistent absence (missing 10% or more sessions), with nearly one in every six pupils falling into the persistently absent category, which is at 18.14%.
Severe absence (attendance of 50% or below) has continued to increase, highlighting that the challenge of non-attendance has shifted from short-term disruption to a more entrenched pattern of disengagement, particularly among disadvantaged pupils.