New figures show that the number of Suffolk pupils missing at least half their school lessons has more than doubled since before the pandemic. Government data reveals that 2.6% of the county's schoolchildren were "severely absent" in spring 2023.
The big picture: Severe absence rates have risen sharply across England since the Covid-19 pandemic, but Suffolk's rate is higher than the national average of 2.2%.
Why it matters: Children missing significant amounts of school time risk falling behind in their education, which can have long-term impacts on their learning and future opportunities.
By the numbers:
2.6% of Suffolk pupils were severely absent in spring 2023
This is up from 1% in 2018-19
The national rate has risen from 0.8% to 2.2% over five years
What's happening: To tackle the problem, the government plans to introduce more specialist attendance mentors from April 2025.
Yes, but: Critics say this response isn't quick enough to address what they describe as an "endemic" problem.
What they're saying: "School absence has now become endemic, with parents often thinking it is not essential for children to attend school every day," said Beth Prescott, programme lead at the Centre for Social Justice.
The other side: The Department for Education says it is "committed to tackling the root causes of absence through mental health support in secondary schools, breakfast clubs in all primary schools and inclusive SEND support."
What's next: Schools will receive additional support to help identify reasons behind prolonged absences and work towards solutions, though specific details about local implementation in Suffolk have not been announced.
The bottom line: The continued rise in pupils missing half their lessons remains a serious concern in Suffolk. With rates higher than the national average and overall absences increasing, local education leaders face mounting pressure to reverse this trend before more children fall behind.
