Pupils: Absenteeism
Commons · Question 10632 · Tabled 17 Jun 2026 · Department for Education · Official record
Answered 23 Jun 2026
Question
Asked by Wendy Morton
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of school days lost each year due to pupils being absent on their birthday; and whether she plans to issue guidance to schools and local authorities on that issue.
Answer
Answered by Olivia Bailey, 23 Jun 2026
In 2024/25, around 100,000 days in school were lost due to pupils being absent on their birthday, with pupils being up to 55% more likely to be absent. In June, we updated our attendance toolkit for schools, providing practical guidance and case studies t...