The proportion of children attending school during the last week of term fell to around 16 per cent, latest Department for Education (DfE) figures show.

According to the figures, approximately 1,517,000 children attended school or college on 16 July, down from 1,608,000 on 9 July.

They represent 15.9 per cent of all children who would normally attend.

The figure is down from 16.9 per cent the week before.

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Attendance across most year groups has dipped, continuing a trend started at the beginning of July.

Only attendance in early years settings saw a slight increase: about 417,000 children were present on 16 July, up from 414,000 on 9 July - with the proportion, 25 per cent, remaining roughly the same.

Around 34 per cent of all Year 1 children attended school on 16 July down from 37 per cent, while the proportion at Year 6 pupils in school decreased from 43 per cent to 41 per cent.

Among older pupils able to attend school, both Year 10 and Year 12 figures show a dip from last week.

About 11 per cent of Year 10 students were in school on 16 July, down from 13 per cent on 9 July, while 9 per cent of all Year 12 students were in attendance, down from 10 per cent the previous week.

About 88 per cent of schools and colleges were open on 16 July down from 91 per cent on 9 July. This figure includes independent schools, colleges and schools in Leicester and Leicestershire local authorities - many of which have closed for the summer holidays.

These are the last attendance figures for the school year as most schools closed for the summer holidays on 17 July. 

From September, all children will be expected to attend school.