Alarming Number of Pupils Severely Absent
Nearly 1,000 children in Barnsley missed at least half of their school lessons over the last two academic terms — the highest figure since records began.
According to the latest data from the Department for Education, 918 pupils in Barnsley were classed as severely absent during the 2024/25 autumn and spring terms. This means they missed half of all school sessions, representing 2.9 percent of pupils in the area.
The figure rose slightly from 2.7 percent recorded in the same terms the previous year, marking the highest level since statistics were first compiled in 2016/17.
In total, 17.9 percent of pupils were persistently absent — those missing ten percent or more of school sessions. This percentage improved compared with 21.2 percent in 2023/24.
Across England, the persistent absence rate stood at 17.6 percent for 2024/25, an improvement from 19.2 percent the year before. However, 2.3 percent of pupils nationally were severely absent, a slight rise from 2.1 percent in the prior year.
Despite the continuing challenge, the overall pace of growth in severe absence has slowed in the past two years.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), said the new figures on persistent absence were "a step in the right direction," but added that "significant barriers remain for some children."
Author’s Summary
Severe school absences in Barnsley have reached record levels despite some progress nationally, reflecting ongoing barriers to consistent attendance among pupils.