More than 20% of pupils 'missing too much school'

Education experts have described the rates of school absence in parts of the South West as a "really serious issue".

According to Ofsted, schools in Cornwall, Plymouth and Torbay had rates of persistent absence - meaning pupils attend fewer than 90% of classes - of about 23% in autumn 2023 and spring 2024, putting them among the highest in England.

Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, said children who missed lessons regularly were at risk of falling behind.

The Department for Education (DfE) said it was working with Ofsted to improve the absence figures which cover state-funded primary, secondary and special schools.

According to Ofsted, Torbay's persistent absence rate was 23.2% while Plymouth's was 23.1% and Cornwall's was 22.7%.

Devon's rate was 20.5% while the Isles of Scilly at 17.1% was the only area in the South West lower than the England average of 19.2% for autumn and spring 2023/24.

Ofsted said missing 10% of school sessions was equivalent to around seven days of absence across the term.

Mr Elliot Major said: "This is a really serious issue, particularly for social mobility because it's children from under-resourced or disadvantaged backgrounds who miss school the most.

"If they're missing school, they're going to fall behind others and not do as well in the classroom."

Schools in Cornwall, Plymouth and Torbay have been working on schemes to encourage pupils who regularly do not attend to come to class more often.

Marine Academy in Plymouth said it had set up a "make their day" project where friends or family could make special requests for pupils as part of their school day.

Jen Brimming, the secondary school's head teacher, said: "What we're finding is that small acts of kindness and personal attention are really making students feel valuable.

"It's also making them recognise school is a place that is more than just about learning, it's about making connections, memories and meaningful relationships."

The DfE said the government was working with Ofsted to introduce school report cards to give parents a "more complete picture of school performance".

A DfE spokesperson said: "As the report highlights, education is fundamental to the future success of this country - that's why we are putting it back at the forefront of national life once again."