There has been a record high number of children missing at least half their school lessons in 2023-2024 — over 170,000 pupils in England. The Guardian
- This is ~2.3% of pupils, up from ~2.0%. The Guardian
- Policies are tightening: fines for absence, more pressure on parents, and campaigns stressing that “moments matter, attendance counts.” The Guardian+1
Implication: Parents are under increasing scrutiny over attendance, and some resist or feel blamed. Tuition providers and academies can help by offering support or interventions for at-risk students and working collaboratively with parents to address barriers (health, transport, attendance motivation).
