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England · School phases
6.60%

Overall absence

2024/256.63%
2025/266.60%
Scale: 0–10% · Same autumn and spring coverage
The attendance edition

Overall absence fell. Severe absence rose.

A closer look at England’s attendance data, and the patterns the headline misses.

Explore the findings

DfE · Autumn and spring terms: 2024/25 and 2025/26
Published analysis

More to discover

Explore the data

6 articles

SEND. A changing classroom. January school census: 2024/25 and 2025/26
SEND

More identified SEND, fewer pupils: what is changing in mainstream schools?

Identified special educational needs increased in both mainstream phases even as the overall school population fell. The planning question is how provision should respond.

Published · DfE data
Compare the figures

Pupils with an EHC plan

Rate (%)

England · SEND · January school census: 2024/25 and 2025/26

2024/252025/26
0% 5% 10% Primary Primary, 2024/25: 3.46 % 3.46 Primary, 2025/26: 4.08 % 4.08 Secondary Secondary, 2024/25: 3.09 % 3.09 Secondary, 2025/26: 3.53 % 3.53 All schools All schools, 2024/25: 5.34 % 5.34 All schools, 2025/26: 6.04 % 6.04
Primary
2024/25
3.46 %
2025/26
4.08 %
Secondary
2024/25
3.09 %
2025/26
3.53 %
All schools
2024/25
5.34 %
2025/26
6.04 %
0%Scale maximum: 10%

Percentage of pupils with the specified provision, within each school-phase population. All schools is a separate national total, not a sum of the two mainstream phases. Scale starts at zero.

SMID Insights analysis · Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England.
Source published 2026-06-11. Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

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Pupils with an EHC plan, %
Group2024/25 (%)2025/26 (%)
Primary3.464.08
Secondary3.093.53
All schools5.346.04
A narrower gap. More to do. 2018/19 and 2024/25 final; 2025/26 provisional · England state-funded schools
Disadvantage

The GCSE disadvantage gap narrowed, but remains wider than before the pandemic

Both headline gaps narrowed compared with the previous cohort, but remained wider than the pre-pandemic baseline. Improvement and a substantial remaining gap can both be true.

Published · DfE data
Compare the figures

Average Attainment 8 score

points

England · Disadvantage · 2024/25 final and 2025/26 provisional

2024/252025/26
0 30 60 Disadvantaged Disadvantaged, 2024/25: 34.9 points 34.9 Disadvantaged, 2025/26: 35.6 points 35.6 Other pupils Other pupils, 2024/25: 50.4 points 50.4 Other pupils, 2025/26: 50.7 points 50.7
Disadvantaged
2024/25
34.9 points
2025/26
35.6 points
Other pupils
2024/25
50.4 points
2025/26
50.7 points
0Scale maximum: 60 points

Average Attainment 8 score. Other pupils means not known to be disadvantaged. Latest year provisional; previous year final. Same national population definition, different cohorts. Scale starts at zero.

SMID Insights analysis · Source: Department for Education, Key stage 4 performance.
Source published 2026-10-15. Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

Explore the data
Average Attainment 8 score, points
Group2024/25 (points)2025/26 (points)
Disadvantaged34.935.6
Other pupils50.450.7
Fewer pupils. New decisions. 2026 actual and 2031 projected · Principal 2026 model · Ages up to 15 · FTE
Pupil numbers

Fewer pupils ahead: what the national projections mean for school planning

The principal national projection points to smaller nursery, primary and secondary populations. Leaders need local scenarios, not a uniform assumption that every school will shrink.

Published · DfE data
Compare the figures

Pupil numbers by mainstream phase

FTE pupils

England · Pupil numbers · 2026 actual and 2031 projected · Principal 2026 model · Ages up to 15 · FTE

2026 (actual)2031 (projected)
0 2,500,000 5,000,000 Nursery and primary Nursery and primary, 2026 (actual): 4,423,864 FTE pupils 4,423,864 Nursery and primary, 2031 (projected): 3,950,811 FTE pupils 3,950,811 Secondary Secondary, 2026 (actual): 3,216,206 FTE pupils 3,216,206 Secondary, 2031 (projected): 2,967,150 FTE pupils 2,967,150
Nursery and primary
2026 (actual)
4,423,864 FTE pupils
2031 (projected)
3,950,811 FTE pupils
Secondary
2026 (actual)
3,216,206 FTE pupils
2031 (projected)
2,967,150 FTE pupils
0Scale maximum: 5,000,000 FTE pupils

Full-time equivalent pupils aged up to fifteen. The later year is the principal projection, not an observed count. State-funded nursery/primary and secondary school types are shown separately. Scale starts at zero.

SMID Insights analysis · Source: Department for Education, National pupil projections.
Source published 2026-07-16. Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

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Pupil numbers by mainstream phase, FTE pupils
Group2026 (actual) (FTE pupils)2031 (projected) (FTE pupils)
Nursery and primary4,423,8643,950,811
Secondary3,216,2062,967,150
Different experiences.
A fuller picture.
Pupil groups

Absence patterns by FSM eligibility and SEN provision

The supplied figures show different directions of change across absence measures and groups. They are descriptive and do not explain why patterns changed.

Published · DfE data
Compare the figures

Overall absence

Rate (%)

England · Pupil groups · Autumn and spring terms only

2024/252025/26
0% 7.5% 15% EHC plan EHC plan, 2024/25: 12.74 % 12.74 EHC plan, 2025/26: 12.99 % 12.99 FSM eligible FSM eligible, 2024/25: 10.29 % 10.29 FSM eligible, 2025/26: 10.29 % 10.29 FSM not eligible FSM not eligible, 2024/25: 5.23 % 5.23 FSM not eligible, 2025/26: 5.12 % 5.12 No identified SEN No identified SEN, 2024/25: 5.66 % 5.66 No identified SEN, 2025/26: 5.52 % 5.52 SEN support SEN support, 2024/25: 9.63 % 9.63 SEN support, 2025/26: 9.53 % 9.53
EHC plan
2024/25
12.74 %
2025/26
12.99 %
FSM eligible
2024/25
10.29 %
2025/26
10.29 %
FSM not eligible
2024/25
5.23 %
2025/26
5.12 %
No identified SEN
2024/25
5.66 %
2025/26
5.52 %
SEN support
2024/25
9.63 %
2025/26
9.53 %
0%Scale maximum: 15%

Missed sessions as a percentage of possible sessions. Scale starts at zero.

SMID Insights analysis · Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England.
Source published 2026-10-15. Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

Explore the data
Overall absence, %
Group2024/25 (%)2025/26 (%)
EHC plan12.7412.99
FSM eligible10.2910.29
FSM not eligible5.235.12
No identified SEN5.665.52
SEN support9.639.53
6.04–7.10%Overall absence across regions2025/26 · Autumn and spring
Across England

How much does the national picture hide regional differences?

Overall and persistent absence decreased nationally, while severe absence increased. Regional patterns differed for overall and persistent absence, but severe absence increased in every region shown.

Published · DfE data
Compare the figures

Overall absence

Rate (%)

England · Across England · Autumn and spring terms only

2024/252025/26
0% 5% 10% England England, 2024/25: 6.63 % 6.63 England, 2025/26: 6.60 % 6.60 London London, 2024/25: 6.14 % 6.14 London, 2025/26: 6.04 % 6.04 North East North East, 2024/25: 6.97 % 6.97 North East, 2025/26: 7.10 % 7.10
England
2024/25
6.63 %
2025/26
6.60 %
London
2024/25
6.14 %
2025/26
6.04 %
North East
2024/25
6.97 %
2025/26
7.10 %
0%Scale maximum: 10%

England and the lowest/highest regional rates in 2025/26. All regions in the table.

Missed sessions as a percentage of possible sessions. Scale starts at zero.

SMID Insights analysis · Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England.
Source published 2026-10-15. Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

Explore the data
Overall absence, %
Group2024/25 (%)2025/26 (%)
East Midlands6.536.49
East of England6.566.51
England6.636.60
London6.146.04
North East6.977.10
North West6.656.69
South East6.686.56
South West6.946.90
West Midlands6.686.61
Yorkshire and The Humber6.896.97
17.50%Persistent absence · England2025/26 · Autumn and spring
School phases

Is attendance recovery reaching pupils with the most absence?

The changes are mixed. Overall and severe absence increased for special schools, while persistent absence decreased. The aggregate figures do not show what happened to individual pupils or explain these patterns.

Published · DfE data
Compare the figures

Overall absence

Rate (%)

England · School phases · Autumn and spring terms only

2024/252025/26
0% 7.5% 15% Special Special, 2024/25: 12.77 % 12.77 Special, 2025/26: 12.86 % 12.86 Primary State-funded primary, 2024/25: 5.16 % 5.16 State-funded primary, 2025/26: 5.13 % 5.13 Secondary State-funded secondary, 2024/25: 8.09 % 8.09 State-funded secondary, 2025/26: 8.01 % 8.01 All schools Total, 2024/25: 6.63 % 6.63 Total, 2025/26: 6.60 % 6.60
Special
2024/25
12.77 %
2025/26
12.86 %
State-funded primary
2024/25
5.16 %
2025/26
5.13 %
State-funded secondary
2024/25
8.09 %
2025/26
8.01 %
All schools
2024/25
6.63 %
2025/26
6.60 %
0%Scale maximum: 15%

Missed sessions as a percentage of possible sessions. Scale starts at zero.

SMID Insights analysis · Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England.
Source published 2026-10-15. Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

Explore the data
Overall absence, %
Group2024/25 (%)2025/26 (%)
Special12.7712.86
State-funded primary5.165.13
State-funded secondary8.098.01
Total6.636.60
From the source

Look closer at the numbers.

England · Autumn and spring terms: 2024/25 and 2025/26
Overall absence6.60%↓ 0.03 percentage points2024/25 → 2025/26
Persistent absence17.50%↓ 0.13 percentage points2024/25 → 2025/26
Severe absence2.32%↑ 0.06 percentage points2024/25 → 2025/26

Overall absence

Rate (%)

England · School phases · Autumn and spring terms only

2024/252025/26
0% 7.5% 15% Special Special, 2024/25: 12.77 % 12.77 Special, 2025/26: 12.86 % 12.86 Primary State-funded primary, 2024/25: 5.16 % 5.16 State-funded primary, 2025/26: 5.13 % 5.13 Secondary State-funded secondary, 2024/25: 8.09 % 8.09 State-funded secondary, 2025/26: 8.01 % 8.01 All schools Total, 2024/25: 6.63 % 6.63 Total, 2025/26: 6.60 % 6.60
Special
2024/25
12.77 %
2025/26
12.86 %
State-funded primary
2024/25
5.16 %
2025/26
5.13 %
State-funded secondary
2024/25
8.09 %
2025/26
8.01 %
All schools
2024/25
6.63 %
2025/26
6.60 %
0%Scale maximum: 15%

Missed sessions as a percentage of possible sessions. Scale starts at zero.

SMID Insights analysis · Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England.
Source published 2026-10-15. Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

Explore the data
Overall absence, %
Group2024/25 (%)2025/26 (%)
Special12.7712.86
State-funded primary5.165.13
State-funded secondary8.098.01
Total6.636.60

Persistent absence

Rate (%)

England · School phases · Autumn and spring terms only

2024/252025/26
0% 20% 40% Special Special, 2024/25: 35.21 % 35.21 Special, 2025/26: 34.72 % 34.72 Primary State-funded primary, 2024/25: 13.31 % 13.31 State-funded primary, 2025/26: 13.25 % 13.25 Secondary State-funded secondary, 2024/25: 21.86 % 21.86 State-funded secondary, 2025/26: 21.55 % 21.55 All schools Total, 2024/25: 17.63 % 17.63 Total, 2025/26: 17.50 % 17.50
Special
2024/25
35.21 %
2025/26
34.72 %
State-funded primary
2024/25
13.31 %
2025/26
13.25 %
State-funded secondary
2024/25
21.86 %
2025/26
21.55 %
All schools
2024/25
17.63 %
2025/26
17.50 %
0%Scale maximum: 40%

Pupil enrolments missing 10% or more of possible sessions. Scale starts at zero.

SMID Insights analysis · Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England.
Source published 2026-10-15. Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

Explore the data
Persistent absence, %
Group2024/25 (%)2025/26 (%)
Special35.2134.72
State-funded primary13.3113.25
State-funded secondary21.8621.55
Total17.6317.50

Severe absence

Rate (%)

England · School phases · Autumn and spring terms only

2024/252025/26
0% 5% 10% Special Special, 2024/25: 6.66 % 6.66 Special, 2025/26: 6.88 % 6.88 Primary State-funded primary, 2024/25: 0.92 % 0.92 State-funded primary, 2025/26: 1.05 % 1.05 Secondary State-funded secondary, 2024/25: 3.62 % 3.62 State-funded secondary, 2025/26: 3.57 % 3.57 All schools Total, 2024/25: 2.26 % 2.26 Total, 2025/26: 2.32 % 2.32
Special
2024/25
6.66 %
2025/26
6.88 %
State-funded primary
2024/25
0.92 %
2025/26
1.05 %
State-funded secondary
2024/25
3.62 %
2025/26
3.57 %
All schools
2024/25
2.26 %
2025/26
2.32 %
0%Scale maximum: 10%

Pupil enrolments missing 50% or more of possible sessions. Scale starts at zero.

SMID Insights analysis · Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England.
Source published 2026-10-15. Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.

Explore the data
Severe absence, %
Group2024/25 (%)2025/26 (%)
Special6.666.88
State-funded primary0.921.05
State-funded secondary3.623.57
Total2.262.32

Source: Department for Education · Published 2026-10-15

Data sources

Special educational needs in England ↗

Key stage 4 performance ↗

National pupil projections ↗

Pupil absence in schools in England ↗