ALMOST 1,000 Barnsley youngsters missed at least half of their school lessons over the two most recent terms - the highest number since records began.
The most recent figures from the Department for Education show 918 pupils in Barnsley were severely absent, missing half of their school sessions, across the 2024/25 autumn and spring terms.
They accounted for 2.9 per cent of pupils.
It was up slightly from 2.7 per cent in the autumn and spring terms in the previous school year, and the highest rate for those two terms since records began in 2016/17.
Overall, 17.9 per cent of pupils in the area were persistently absent, meaning they missed ten per cent or more of sessions - down from 21.2 per cent in 2023/24.
The rate of persistently absent pupils across England stood at 17.6 per cent in 2024/25, an improvement from 19.2 per cent a year earlier.
However, 2.3 per cent were severely absent - up from 2.1 per cent the year before.
While severe absence has risen, the rate of increase has been slowing over the past two years.
Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, said the new figures on persistent absence are a step in the right direction, but significant barriers remain for some children.
“Schools work hard to ensure children are in the classroom, but they cannot solve the root causes of absence alone,” he said.
“The reasons for severe and persistent absence often lay outside the school gates, including mental health challenges and societal issues like poverty.”
The increase in severe absence is most apparent for children with an education, health and care plan, which are legal documents setting out support required for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
The percentage of pupils with EHCPs missing more than half of their classes increased from 6.6 per cent in 2023/24 to 7.3 per cent this year.
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said it is worrying severe absence has increased again, particularly for children with the most complex SEND needs.
He added schools’ efforts to improve attendance are challenging when schools are facing ‘intense financial pressures, staffing shortages, and difficulty in accessing specialist support, and this may be one of the reasons why we are seeing this degree of severe absence’.
A DfE spokesperson added: “This government is taking the action needed to get our kids back in school, with the biggest improvement in attendance in a decade last academic year.
“Absence is down, persistent absence has plummeted, and we are slowing the stubborn rise in severe absence.
“Through free breakfast clubs in every primary school, an attendance mentoring programme, and ensuring earlier intervention for children with special needs we are creating a school system that serves not just some children but supports every child to achieve and thrive.”
Coun Ashley Peace, cabinet spokesperson for children’s services, said: “We understand the impact of pupils not being in school due to extended and repeated absence and we want all children and young people to thrive in their education and attend every day.
"We know severe absence rates are a challenge both nationally and locally, and through the Barnsley School Alliance, we are working in close partnership with all our schools and academies to prioritise attendance.
“Extensive work is ongoing with school leaders and chief executives from multi-academy trusts and attendance remains a key priority for all schools in our borough.
"Our data demonstrates that our overall attendance picture for children at primary is above the national picture and at secondary phase our attendance trajectory is improving."
