Understanding the absence data

We have met with the Children Commissioner’s office to discuss the issues around persistent absence and the lack of data. We are delighted that the Commissioner’s 2020 Business plan highlights the link between persistent absence and SEND and sets out proposals for the development of a Good Schools Index. The ambition is "to keep the focus on making schools fit for all pupils who wish to be at them, by tracking persistent absence and its link to SEND, and publishing finer-grained data on what persistent absence means and what might lie behind it.” Coronavirus has interrupted plans to implement the strategy, but we are very pleased to see the lack of data being highlighted as a key strategic priority.

See p6: "We also want to keep the focus on making schools fit for all pupils who wish to be at them, by tracking persistent absence and its link to SEND, and publishing finer-grained data on what persistent absence means and what might lie behind it."