New Department for Education figures show that overall school attendance improved during the 2025/26 academic year, with persistent absence continuing to fall from post-pandemic highs.

Despite this progress, the attendance gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers has widened. Pupils eligible for free school meals remain significantly more likely to miss school regularly and to be persistently absent.

Persistent absence is closely linked to poorer educational attainment, reduced wellbeing and an increased risk of becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET), making attendance a continuing priority for schools, local authorities and youth services.

The figures highlight the need for targeted support to address the barriers preventing disadvantaged children and young people from attending school consistently, including poverty, mental health challenges and unmet additional needs.