The Department of Education has today published a statistical bulletin which provides an analysis of attendance at grant-aided primary, post-primary and special schools.
![](https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/inline-expandable/public/images/de/news/78781700%20elementary%20students%20standing%20in%20a%20line.jpg?itok=Q_N4aFN8×tamp=1453369575)
Key Findings:
The overall attendance rate for primary schools in 2014/15 was 95.4% of the total half days; 4.6% of all half days were missed due to absence, comprising 3.5% authorised and 1.1% unauthorised absence.
The overall attendance rate for post-primary schools in 2014/15 was 93.4% of the total half days; 6.6% of all half days were missed due to absence, comprising 4.5% authorised and 2.1% unauthorised absence.
The overall attendance rate for special schools in 2014/15 was 90.2% of the total half days; 9.8% of all half days were missed due to absence, comprising 6.7% authorised and 3.1% unauthorised absence.
The most common reason for absence in all schools was illness, which is an authorised absence. Illness accounted for 63.9% of all absent half days in primary schools, 52.9% in post-primary schools and 46.2% in special schools. This equates to 2.9%, 3.5% and 4.5% of the total half days respectively
The bulletin can be viewed on the DE website.
Notes to editors:
- Attendance data for the 2014/15 academic year was collected from all grant-aided primary, post-primary and special schools in Northern Ireland via the school census which was conducted in October 2015.
- A further release containing a more detailed set of tables, including absence by pupil characteristics (e.g. gender, year group, ethnicity etc.) will be published on 18 February 2016.
- Media enquiries to the Department of Education’s Communication Team Tel: 028 9127 9755. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.
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