Written Question·Department for Education·UIN 17699

Pupils: Absenteeism

Tabled: 10 July 2026

Answered: 4 August 2026

Question

Dan Norris

Independent — North East Somerset and Hanham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of persistent absence in schools in South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset.

Answer

Paul Waugh

Absence is a key barrier to opportunity. For children to achieve and thrive they need to be in school. The department is committed to improving the attendance of all pupils. Thanks to the efforts of the sector, we saw record improvements in 2024/25 with a...

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