Analysis figures from the Department for Education show 32,945 students in state-funded schools across Lancashire missed a tenth or more of sessions. The school day is split into a morning and afternoon session, with every child expected to attend all sessions. These students accounted for 20.3% of the 162,334 students enrolled in the area during the 2022-23 academic year. It was up significantly from 10% in 2018-19, before the pandemic.
Mr Whiteman added: 'If the Government is serious about getting more pupils back into the classroom, there must be a significant bolstering of funding for the services that support schools including children’s social care, and mental health.' The DfE recently announced a series of measures as part of its drive to boost attendance after the pandemic – including increasing fines for parents taking children out of school without permission.