Geospatial and sociodemographic patterns of unauthorised school absence

Using routinely collected attendance records provided by the Department for Education (DfE) and geospatial data from the Connected Bradford database, the team explored how unauthorised absences vary by place- and person-level factors across the Bradford district Between 2012 and 2019, school absence rates have increased. There are large discrepancies in the concentration of unauthorised absence rates across areas which varies further by sociodemographic factors such as ethnicity, gender, and age. In addition, the study’s preliminary findings suggest a relationship between unauthorised absence and mental health issues in young people. What works in one community to reduce unauthorised absences may not be appropriate for another. Therefore, these insights demonstrate why schools and local authorities must adopt tailored place-based initiatives to tackle school absences.