More than 11,200 ‘severely’ absent autistic pupils are missing the equivalent of four months or more of the school year, new data analysis by the charity Ambitious about Autism reveals.
According to the latest Department for Education data, in the school year 2023/24, 11,223 autistic pupils were classed as ‘severely’ absent – missing 50 per cent or more of the school year.
The total percentage of severely absent pupils has more than doubled since 2019 – reaching 5.5 per cent in 2023/24.
Meanwhile the rate of ‘persistently’ absent autistic pupils has also increased. These are pupils who miss 10 per cent or more of the school term (on average around 20 days or a month off school).
In the school year 2023/24, 63,348 autistic pupils were persistent absentees. This equates to nearly a third (31 per cent) of autistic pupils enrolled in schools in England in 2023/24. In 2018/19 the rate was 18 per cent.
Jolanta Lasota, Chief Executive of Ambitious about Autism, said:
“These figures are further proof that the education system is failing autistic children and young people. Thousands of autistic pupils are missing out on significant periods of learning, and this can lead to a lifetime of negative consequences.
“Schools must be equipped to provide meaningful support so that autistic pupils are not only present in mainstream education but actively engaged and able to succeed. Autistic young people and parents have told us that autism-specific training in schools could help improve understanding and support for autistic pupils.
“Autistic young people have hopes and ambitions and they deserve the chance to achieve them just like every other pupil. Now more than ever, we urge the government to work together with autistic young people and their families to ensure more autistic pupils feel happy, safe and able to learn in school.”
