Analysis of Department for Education data by charity Ambitious about Autism finds equivalent of 4.5 months of school being missed annually.
Some 13,215 autistic pupils were ‘severely’ absent from school in the year 2024-25, according to official figures from the Department for Education (DfE), meaning they missed 50% or more of the school year. In primary schools, autistic pupils were more than three times more likely than the average pupil to be severely absent.
Photo by Richard Stachmann / Unsplash.
The findings, laid out in DfE data and analysed by the charity Ambitious about Autism, make grim reading. The total percentage of severely absent pupils reached 5.71% in 2024-25, more than double the figure in 2018-19.
Some 67,298 autistic pupils were ‘persistently’ absent, meaning this missed 10% or more of the school year. That equates to 29% of all autistic pupils, up significantly from the 18% persistent absence recorded in 2018-19.
The rate of overall absence for autistic pupils in 2024-25 was 11.10%, notably higher than the 6.98% for all pupils in England. Absence rates have fallen since Covid and locked, but autistic pupils are still more likely to miss more school.
For pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan, overall absence increased slightly from 12.63% in 2023-24 to 12.74% in 2024-25.
In research conducted by the charity, mental health issues were responsible for 62% of non-attendances by autistic pupils, and 20% due to the school place not being suitable. More than 70% of autistic pupils receive their education in mainstream schools.
Recognising the urgency of the issue, last month the government published a schools White Paper, “Every child achieving and thriving”. It is currently consulting on its proposals for SEND reform: putting children and young people first; you have until May 18, 2026 to share your views.
Jolanta Lasota, Chief Executive of Ambitious about Autism, says: ‘Autistic pupils are disproportionately missing out on the education they deserve. Our analysis suggests that some children aren’t just struggling to attend – but are falling out of education altogether. Autistic pupils want to learn, and many schools are trying their best to support them, but too often the environment is just not set up to meet their needs.
‘While we share the Government’s ambition to reform the SEND system, this data reveals the scale of the challenge. If there is to be a reduction in reliance on EHC plans and a shift of focus to support in mainstream schools, it is crucial the system is ready to meet autistic pupils’ needs before legal protections are removed. The Government must listen very carefully to the experiences and ideas of autistic young people and their families to create a truly inclusive education system.’
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