13,000 autistic pupils are missing 50% or more of the school year, our analysis reveals
More than 13,000 autistic pupils are missing the equivalent of 4.5 months or more of the school year, our latest analysis reveals.
According to new Department for Education (DfE) data, in the school year 2024/25, 13,215 autistic pupils were classed as ‘severely’ absent - missing 50% or more of the school year. In primary schools, autistic pupils are now over three times more likely to be severely absent than the average pupil.
The total percentage of severely absent autistic pupils has more than doubled since 2019 - reaching 5.71% in 2024/25.
Absence among autistic pupils ‘disproportionately’ high
The overall absence rate of autistic pupils (11.10%) is disproportionately higher than the overall absence rate for all pupils in England (6.78%). While the absence rate for all pupils has fallen, the data shows that progress is uneven, with autistic pupil continuously far more likely to miss significant amounts of school.
The overall absence rate for pupils with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan has also increased from 12.63% in 2023/24 to 12.74% in 2024/25.
Our analysis also found that 67,298 autistic pupils were ‘persistently’ absent from school. These are pupils who miss 10% or more of the school term (on average around 19 days or more off school).
This equates to nearly a third (29%) of autistic pupils enrolled in schools in England in 2024/25. In 2018/19 the rate was 18%.
The school system is not meeting autistic pupils’ needs
Earlier this year, we launched our Absence Notes campaign to draw attention to the many reasons autistic pupils are or feel absence from the education system.
The Government is currently consulting on the Schools White Paper, which outlines a raft of reforms to the SEND system. The plans include a focus on improving mainstream schools, where over 70% of autistic pupils receive their education.
According to our research, the biggest cause for non-attendance among autistic pupils is mental health issues (62%), followed by issues with physical health. A fifth (20%) were out of school because their school place was not suitable.
Ambitious about Autism Chief Executive, Jolanta Lasota, said:
“Autistic pupils are disproportionately missing out on the education they deserve. Our analysis suggests that some children aren’t just struggling to attend - but are falling out of education altogether.
“Autistic pupils want to learn, and many schools are trying their best to support them, but too often the environment is just not set up to meet their needs.
“While we share the Government’s ambition to reform the SEND system, this data reveals the scale of the challenge. If there is to be a reduction in reliance on EHC plans and a shift of focus to support in mainstream schools, it is crucial the system is ready to meet autistic pupils' needs before legal protections are removed.
“The Government must listen very carefully to the experiences and ideas of autistic young people and their families to create a truly inclusive education system.”
Sign our collective Absence Note asking the Government for a future where every autistic pupil can thrive.
