Why Are Young People Leaving Education Behind?

Missing school is often discussed as if it starts and ends with attendance. A pupil does not arrive. The absence is recorded. The school contacts home. But the reason behind that absence can be much harder to understand.

Department for Education figures show that 18.14% of pupil enrolments in England were persistently absent in the 2024/25 academic year, meaning at least 10% of sessions were missed. That was an improvement on the previous year, but still well above the 10.86% recorded in 2018/19. Severe absence, where at least half of sessions are missed, rose to 2.39%.

These are school attendance figures. They do not tell us how many pupils will later become NEET, and it would be wrong to treat them as though they do.

What may be happening underneath?

Illness is one major reason for absence. Family pressures, poverty, unmet support needs and difficulties with school can also affect attendance. A pupil with anxiety may need a different response from someone who cannot afford reliable transport or is caring for a family member.

The DWP's 2026 survey of young people outside work, education and training found that health conditions, disability and neurodevelopmental conditions often affected confidence and participation. It also found dissatisfaction with how education prepared young people for work.

None of this means expectations should disappear. Education matters. So do routines, attendance and achievement. But insisting that a young person return without understanding why they left may not work.

The better question is what would make re-engagement possible. It might be a smaller class, a trusted tutor, flexible learning, practical support or a course linked to an interest the young person already has.

Returning to education is not always a single moment. Sometimes it begins with one session that goes well enough for someone to come back the following week.