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Attendance and Absence in Scottish Schools 1998-1999 to 2000-2001

1. Introduction

1.1 This is a new bulletin providing information about attendance and absence in Scottish schools. The information in this publication was previously supplied in a report entitled ‘Attendance and Absence in Scottish Schools’ which was issued by the former Audit Unit of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Schools. The bulletin contains information on absence rates in primary and secondary schools in Scotland, including grant-aided and self-governing schools. Summary information for education authorities and for Scotland is also shown.

2. Main Points

2.1 Authorised absence in primary schools in 2000-2001 was 5.02 per cent. This represents a small increase from the 1999-2000 level of 4.63 per cent. Unauthorised absence also increased slightly, from 0.29 per cent in 1999-2000 to 0.35 per cent in 2000-2001. Absence rates in primary schools have remained fairly stable over the last few years.

2.2 Authorised absence in secondary schools in 2000-2001 was 9.81 per cent which represents a small increase from the 1999-2000 level of 9.42 per cent. Unauthorised absence also increased slightly, from 1.43 per cent in 1999-2000 to 1.54 per cent in 2000-2001. Absence rates in secondary schools have remained fairly stable over the last few years.

2.3 Glasgow City had the highest total percentage absence in primary schools with 7.6 per cent, whilst East Renfrewshire and Scottish Borders had the lowest total percentage absence with 4.1 per cent. The national average absence in primary schools was 5.4 per cent.

2.4 Glasgow City also had the highest total percentage absence in secondary schools with 16.3 per cent, whilst Orkney Islands had the lowest total percentage absence with 6.1 per cent. The national average absence in secondary schools was 11.4 per cent.

2.5 Absences in primary schools equated to 2 lost school weeks per pupil from a possible 38. Absences in secondary schools equated to more than 4 lost school weeks per pupil from a possible 38 school weeks.ssss

3. National Summary

3.1 Absence across all stages of primary schools in 2000-2001 averaged 5.4 per cent and almost all absence was authorised. This is equivalent to, on average, each primary pupil being absent for 20 half-days out of a school session of 380 half-days. Obviously the situation was more complex than this because some pupils were absent more than 20 half-days and others were absent for fewer half-days.

3.2 Absence across all stages in secondary schools averaged 11.4 per cent. This is equivalent to, on average, each secondary pupil being absent for 43 half-days out of a school session of 380 half-days. Obviously the situation was more complex than this because some pupils were absent more than 43 half-days and others were absent for fewer half-days. Absence rates have remained stable over the past few years.

3.3 Absence (both authorised and unauthorised) is stable between P1 and P7. Both authorised and unauthorised absences increase from P7 to S1, and from S1 to S4 before decreasing in S5. The overall picture in secondary schools, unlike primary schools, does vary by stage. Absences for S4 are almost double that of S1.

4. Education Authority Summary

4.1 The charts and tables below compare the percentages of authorised and unauthorised absence in primary and secondary schools in all education authorities.

4.2 In primary schools, there are small variations between the average percentage absence for individual education authorities and the national level of 5.4 per cent. Glasgow City had the highest total percentage absence in primary schools with 7.6 per cent, whilst East Renfrewshire and Scottish Borders had the lowest total percentage absence with 4.1 per cent.

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