The latest data on pupil attendance in England reveals interesting patterns for week 28 2026, with notable variations across school types and regions
The Department for Education has released its fortnightly update on pupil attendance across English schools for week 28 of the 2026/26 academic year. This comprehensive report provides valuable insights into attendance patterns, absence rates, and persistent absence trends from to July 2026.
As we approach the summer break, these statistics offer an important snapshot of how attendance has evolved throughout the academic year, with particular attention to the variations between primary, secondary, and special schools.
Key Attendance Figures for Week 28 2026
During the week commencing July 6, 2026, the 93% resulting in an absence rate of 8.07%. This represents a 0.72 percentage point increase in absence compared to the same week in the previous academic year.
The data reveals significant variations between different school types.
State-funded primary schools had the lowest absence rate at 5.95% while state-funded secondary schools saw a higher rate of 10.68%. State-funded special schools had the highest absence rate at 15.38%.
Breaking down the absence figures further, we see that authorised absence accounted for 3.57% in primary schools, 5.59% in secondary schools, and 10.60% in special schools. Unauthorised absence was recorded at 2.38% for primary schools, 5.09% for secondary schools, and 4.78% for special schools.
Academic Year Trends and Persistent Absence
Looking at the entire academic year to date, the 88% with a persistent absence rate of 18.78%. This persistent absence rate represents a 0.36 percentage point increase compared to the same point in the previous academic year.
The year-to-date absence rates by school type show 5.28% for primary schools, 8.49% for secondary schools, and 13.17% for special schools. Within these figures, authorised absence accounts for 3.73% in primary schools, 5.22% in secondary schools, and 9.57% in special schools. Unauthorised absence is recorded at 1.55% for primary schools, 3.27% for secondary schools, and 3.60% for special schools.
Seasonal Variations in Absence Rates
The data highlights interesting seasonal patterns in absence rates. Absence generally increased across the autumn term, peaking at around 8.9% in the final week of. In the spring term, absence rates remained relatively stable between 6-7% before rising to around 8.6% during Eid-al-Fitr celebrations.
The summer term saw absence rates starting at around 6.5% and rising to 8.9% in the week prior to half term. Notably, the week commencing June 22, 2026, saw an exceptional absence rate of 11.9% coinciding with a significant heatwave affecting parts of England.
Illness as a Primary Factor in Absence
Throughout the academic year, illness has been a major contributor to absence rates. In the autumn term, illness absence rose from around 1.9% to a peak of 4.7% in early. This trend continued into the spring term, with illness absence reaching 3.7% in late.
In the summer term, illness absence fluctuated between 2.4% and 3.6% with a notable spike to 4.5% during the heatwave in late June 2026. The most recent data for week 28 shows illness absence at around 3.1%.
The Department for Education is considering reducing the frequency of these attendance publications to monthly after the spring term of each academic year, starting from 2026/27. This proposal aims to maintain transparency while improving the quality and insight of the statistics. Users are invited to provide feedback on this proposal by August 28, 2026.
For more detailed information, schools and stakeholders can access the Pupil attendance and absence in schools in England: data dashboard which provides comprehensive data at national, regional, and local authority levels.
