Authorised and unauthorised school absence explained

When a pupil misses school, the absence is recorded as authorised or unauthorised, depending on the circumstances and the attendance code that applies. Both still count as absence.

What is authorised absence?

Circumstances that can result in authorised absence include certain cases of:

• illness;
• medical or dental appointments;
• religious observance;
• approved leave in exceptional circumstances;
• and other situations covered by the statutory attendance codes.

The exact code depends on the circumstances. A parent or carer does not simply authorise an absence themselves — the school records attendance using the statutory framework.

What is unauthorised absence?

Unauthorised absence covers situations where a pupil is absent but the circumstances do not meet the requirements for an authorised code. Examples include:

• a holiday that has not been granted by the school;
• absence where no satisfactory reason has been established;
• certain late arrivals after registration has closed.

Schools are expected to follow up unexplained absence and establish the correct attendance code.

What about holidays during term time?

DfE statutory guidance, Working together to improve school attendance, says that a desire or need for a holiday, or other leisure or recreational absence, would generally not constitute an exceptional circumstance. Schools consider applications for leave individually. Where a pupil is absent for a holiday that has not been granted, the absence is recorded as unauthorised.

Does authorised absence affect attendance percentages?

Yes. If a pupil misses a possible session, an authorised absence still contributes to their overall absence rate.

This is an important distinction: authorised does not mean present. It means the absence has been recorded using an authorised absence code.

Can authorised absence contribute to persistent absence?

Yes. Persistent absence is based on the proportion of possible sessions missed and includes both authorised and unauthorised absence. A pupil experiencing significant illness may become persistently absent even though much or all of the absence has been authorised.

Why distinguish the two?

The distinction helps schools and policymakers understand the nature of absence. Two schools could have the same overall absence rate but a very different balance between authorised and unauthorised absence, which may lead to different questions and different approaches.

What does the national data show?

Authorised absence accounted for about 68% of all absence in autumn term 2025/26, and illness alone for about 52% of it. Illness remains the largest recorded reason for absence nationally and remains above typical pre-pandemic levels.

The Explorer's Reasons view shows every absence reason code both as a rate of possible sessions and as a share of all absence, for England, any region and any local authority.