Unauthorised absences this year have been more than twice as high as in pre-pandemic years

Illness

Other authorised

Unauthorised

Sessions missed

5.1%

5%

4.5%

4.3%

4

3.7%

3

2.9%

2.8%

2.1%

2.1%

2

1.5%

1

0

2018-19

2021-22

2022-23

Illness

Other authorised

Unauthorised

5.1%

5% of sessions missed

4.5%

4.3%

4

3.7%

3

2.9%

2.8%

2.1%

2.1%

2

1.5%

1

0

2018-19

2021-22

2022-23

Guardian graphic. Source: FFT Datalab. Note: 2021-22 data to 20 May 2022. 2018-19 data from the full year DfE release. 2021-22 includes x-coded Covid sessions as ‘other’ absences. Unauthorised absences will be overcounted in the most recent years