Improve school attendance: New collation of routinely collected data shows where early support is needed

Persistent school absence has nearly doubled from pre-pandemic levels to affect around one in four children. Absence is associated with poor academic outcomes, long-term physical and mental illness, later financial difficulties, and crime. Drawing on routinely collected data from public services in Bradford, we found that absence rates vary widely across neighbourhoods, and that it was possible to identify children at risk of absenteeism at an early age. We recommend taking an early, place-based and system-wide approach to reduce school absences.