Pupils may be missing school on Fridays as parents ‘try to beat holiday traffic’

Absences from school at the end of the week are more common ahead of bank holidays or half-term breaks, according to economists from the University of Bath.

The study, published in the British Educational Research Journal, has concluded that the extension of holidays or attempting to beat bank holiday traffic might explain the “Friday effect”.

It comes after Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson recently described the number of children missing school in England as an “absence epidemic”.

Parents in England who take their children out of class without permission are facing higher fines this year as part of a Government drive to boost attendance since the Covid-19 pandemic.

In May, then Education Secretary Gillian Keegan suggested that parents working from home could have contributed to a rise in children skipping school on Fridays.

But Bath University researchers concluded that there was “no evidence” that parents working from home was driving the higher absence rates on Fridays.

The study used daily level attendance data at local authority level collected by the Department for Education (DfE) from the beginning of the academic year 2022/2023.

The researchers found significantly lower school attendance rates on Fridays across England, with a 20% higher absence rate compared to other days.

It suggested that the “Friday effect” of unauthorised absences was more pronounced in areas with higher levels of deprivation.

Jonathan James, from the Department of Economics at the University of Bath, said: “We found no evidence to suggest that parents working from home are driving the higher absence rates on Fridays. We also rule out strikes.

“However, our research indicates that Friday absences are more common in weeks leading up to bank holidays or half-term breaks, suggesting that families might be extending their holidays or trying to avoid holiday traffic.

“Addressing these patterns could reduce the effect by one-third to a half.”

Dr James added: “There might be a cultural aspect to this — perhaps there’s less stigma about taking Fridays off now.

“With the cost-of-living crisis, people may be more understanding of the financial pressures families face, such as the high cost of holidays. However, we do not yet have concrete evidence to fully support this hypothesis.”

Joanna Clifton-Sprigg, co-author of the study, said: “Tackling these patterns of weekly absences can help raise attainment levels and reduce educational inequalities.”

Dr Clifton-Sprigg added: “Simple measures like sending newsletters, emails, or text messages to remind parents of the negative impact of absences on academic performance could be effective.

“Additionally, schools might consider scheduling engaging activities on Fridays, such as award ceremonies, to boost attendance.”

Ahead of pupils’ return to school this month, Ms Phillipson warned that she would make no “apologies” for fining parents with frequently absent children.

In the Sunday Times, the Education Secretary said too many parents allowed children time off for holidays, birthdays or a “runny nose”.

In February, the DfE announced that absence fines would start at £80 if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 from this academic year.

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: “Schools have a lot to contend with – and it seems that this even includes the problem of parents trying to beat holiday traffic jams.

“We can’t stress enough that even one day of missed schooling equates to lost learning and we implore parents not to take their children out of school.”

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the school leaders’ union NAHT, said “Good attendance is critically important to make sure children get the best education that they can.

“A Friday is just as important as any other day of the week when it comes to learning and we would urge all parents to ensure their children are in school every day of the week.”

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “We have made it our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.

“The strong foundations of learning are grounded in the classroom and tackling absence is a top priority for the government.

“The Education Secretary has been clear that every day of lost learning causes serious harm to not only those missing school but also those in the classroom.

“Our guidance takes a ‘support first’ approach but parents have a legal responsibility to make sure their child is in school, and we are committed to working with both parents and schools to tackle persistent absence”.