Primary school teachers matter for learning, but may have little impact on attendance
The findings from new research suggest that there are strong teacher effects on attainment in maths and reading at primary, but not necessarily on attendance.
Exclusions and suspensions in Autumn 2025/26
Early signs for 2025/26 suggest that suspensions are continuing to fall from their 2023/24 peak
Understanding unauthorised absence
We look at patterns in unauthorised absence, including the numbers of students missing school for unauthorised reasons very frequently, and the contribution such pupils make to headline absence figures
Pupil absence in Autumn Term 2025/26
A summary of patterns in pupil attendance across Autumn Term this year, including the impact of an unusually early flu season
Exploring the relationship between Year 11 absence and GCSE results
We explore how much of a relationship exists between absence in Year 11 and Key Stage 4 attainment once absence in Year 10 has been accounted for.
How many pupils really are severely absent?
Is it right to say that there were over 170 thousand children who were severely absent in 2023/24?
The relationship between absence in Year 6 and Year 7
We aim to provide secondary schools with some guidelines about what level of pupil attendance in Year 6 may be cause for concern in their incoming Year 7 cohorts.
Who gets study leave in Year 11?
In response to a reader request, we look at how consistently study leave has been granted to Year 11 pupils taking public exams this year
School absences, exclusions and crime amongst high-achieving children from disadvantaged backgrounds
Highlights from new research into high-achieving children from disadvantaged backgrounds, focusing on school absences, exclusions and cautions/sentences from the police.