The unauthorised pupil absence rate has risen to its highest level since records began, new government data shows.

More than one in six pupils missed school to go on holiday in 2017-18, according to the official statistics released today.

Both authorised and unauthorised absences increased in 2017-18 compared with 2016-17 - with illness being the main reason for pupil absence.

But while overall absence rates have increased slightly since 2016-17, illness accounts for a lower proportion of absences than in previous years.

The percentage of pupils who missed at least one session due to a family holiday rose from 16.9 per cent in 2016-17 to 17.6 per cent in 2017-18.

Increase in unauthorised holidays

“Unauthorised holiday absence has been increasing gradually since 2006-07 whilst authorised holiday absence is much lower now than in 2006-07 but has remained steady over recent years,” the statistical release states.

The overall absence rate has increased from 4.7 per cent of teaching sessions (half days) missed in 2016-17 to 4.8 per cent in 2017-18.

“Both authorised and unauthorised absence rates have increased since last year, the rate of the latter now being the highest since records began,” the statistical release states.

The statistical release shows absence rates since 2006-07.

Nearly half of all pupils were absent for five days or fewer, with 7.9 per cent having no absences.

But the statistics also show that one in nine pupils was persistently absent in 2017-18 (missed10 per cent or more of their possible teaching sessions) - a rise from one in 10 in the previous year.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “The education secretary has made it clear, persistent absence from school is a society-wide challenge that we all need to work together to resolve - and while significant progress has been made, today’s data shows that has now plateaued.

“High-quality education and pastoral care will make a real difference to children’s life chances, and that’s particularly important for those who are most vulnerable, but clearly key initiatives will only work if children are present.”