Children in special and Deis schools are absent for more days than peers, ESRI study reveals

"Around one-third of children attending special schools or Band 1 Deis schools have 'chronic levels of absenteeism' School absence rates have increased since the pandemic and show little sign of improvement Greater rate of absences 'likely to contribute to inequality in later life' - report co-author Children attending special schools and Deis schools in the most socio‑economically disadvantaged areas miss school at a much higher rate than their peers, new research has shown."

"Around one-third of children attending special schools or Band 1 Deis schools have chronic levels of absenteeism, meaning they missed 20 or more days of school during the 2023/24 academic year."

Children attending special schools and Deis schools in the most socio-economically disadvantaged areas miss school at a much higher rate than their peers. Around one-third of children attending special schools or Band 1 Deis schools have chronic levels of absenteeism, defined as missing 20 or more days during the 2023/24 academic year. School absence rates have increased since the pandemic and show little sign of improvement. Higher rates of absence are likely to contribute to inequality in later life. The concentration of chronic absenteeism in disadvantaged settings and special education raises long-term equity concerns.

Read at Independent