Dr. Hallam recently wrote, with Caroline Roaf, special needs co-ordinator for an Oxfordshire school, a booklet designed to help schools promote attendance. Children with higher than average absence at primary school are more likely to be poor attenders at secondary school. Absence increases as pupils transfer from primary to secondary school. Absence increases through secondary school, particularly in years 10 and 11. Overall, girls are absent more than boys although there is little difference in unauthorised absence.
Absence increases with interruptions to routine.
Absence is not consistent throughout the school year. Absence is higher in inner cities. Schools within the same catchment area have differing levels of attendance. The family and the community. The school itself.