NEW figures have broken down the levels of unauthorised absences at schools in the area covered by Cumberland Council. 

These figures are derived from regular data automatically submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) by participating schools.

The data is submitted daily and includes the attendance codes for each pupil on their registers during the morning and afternoon sessions.

The figures also relate to the attendance of 5 to 15-year-old pupils in state-funded primary, secondary, and special schools in England and cover the period between 2023/24 academic year from 11 September to 9 February 2024.

The data shows that unauthorised absences across these three types of school were at their highest in the area within Cumberland Council's jurisdiction on the week beginning Monday, December 18th, at 2.87 per cent in Primary Schools, 6.09 per cent in secondary schools, and 2.14 per cent in special schools.

After the Christmas break, these unauthorised absence rates have fallen, however, to a level that still exceeds the pre-Christmas percentage, with one parent, who chose to remain anonymous, specifically mentioning how the quick return to school following the festive break has impacted school attendance.

One parent, who chose to remain anonymous 

They said: "As a parent living in North Cumbria I was very surprised at the early January start following Christmas.

"It raised eyebrows among parents who were no sooner celebrating New Year's Day than preparing school uniforms for children returning on Wednesday, January 3.

"It felt far too soon and it was no surprise that I heard from my sons that schools were half empty and absenteeism was high in week one"

Cumberland Council were approached for comment.