06 July 2006
Analysis of School Attendance Data at Primary and Post-Primary Levels for 2004/2005

Educational Welfare Officers improve attendance in first full year of service

Educational disadvantage is a critical issue

Levels of expulsions and suspensions increase sharply from Primary to Post Primary level

Perfect attendance average is higher at Primary level

The National Educational Welfare Board’s (NEWB) analysis of school attendance for the school year 2004/2005, released today (6th July 2006) shows that attendance has improved in many of the areas targeted specifically by NEWB, such as primary and post-primary schools in designated disadvantaged areas. In a number of these targeted areas, the mean percentage of students absent 20 days or more has improved by over 4%

The report also shows a strong link between levels of disadvantage and levels of non attendance. Primary school students in the most disadvantaged areas missed on average 15 school days in the school year 2004 / 2005 compared to an average of 10 school days missed by primary school students in the least disadvantaged areas. Post-primary school students in the most disadvantaged areas missed on average 21 days in that year compared to an average of 10 school days missed by students in the least disadvantaged areas.

Since the inception of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, schools are obliged by law to submit a report to NEWB on levels of school attendance. This report is also available to parents. Commenting on the findings of the 2004/2005 report, Eddie Ward, Chief Executive Officer, NEWB said: “Levels of non attendance reported by primary and post primary schools are a major cause for concern. 84,000 children under the age of 16 miss more than 20 days each year. Critically, young children in poorer urban areas are experiencing multiple disadvantages which are having a negative effect on their school attendance and educational achievements. 

"Regular Attendance at school plays a huge part in helping our children to develop and achieve success in life, get qualified and secure employment.   Many factors come in the way of attendance, some relate to home circumstances and some relate to school.  We all have a duty to identify and address these in so far as possible.  New and creative ways based on evidence of what works must be found if we are to stem the tide of non attendance. NEWB is currently working with schools and other services to enhance levels of collaboration at all levels”, he added.

The figures also reveal that levels of expulsions and suspensions increase sharply at post-primary level.  Commenting on the levels of expulsions and suspensions recorded in 2004/05 Ward added: “The Board believes that the education system does not make adequate provision for children who have behaviour problems or particularly children who were expelled from school. Any strategy used to address problem behaviour should include a welfare focus.

“Poor behaviour can also be a barrier to good attendance and participation in school activities. NEWB is currently working on guidelines which will help primary and post primary schools draw up codes of behaviour that are inclusive and which promote better participation by all in the work of the school”, he added.

There were 5 recorded expulsions at primary level in 2004/05 and there were 93 recorded expulsions at post-primary level.

908 students were suspended in 239 primary schools in 2004/05 representing an average of almost 4 students per school. 98 of these schools suspended only 1 student and 2 schools suspended 87 students. 479 post primary schools accounted for 11,746 students suspended in 2004/05, an average of 24 students per school. 10 of these schools suspended over 100 students each.

Ward continued:  “This is the first national data of this kind and it shows the extent of disruption at school level linked to poor behaviour.  The severity of the problem varies between schools, worse at post primary and many schools reporting no suspensions or expulsions.” 

Finally, in terms of 100% attendance, there were a total of 15,336 primary school students with 100% attendance, representing an average of just fewer than 6 students per school. Of the 2,648 schools that returned valid data, 2,227 schools had at least 1 student with 100% attendance. There were 7,984 students at post-primary level with 100% attendance, based on data returned by 557 schools. 504 schools had at least one student with 100% attendance.

The Annual Attendance Report is submitted by each school when they close for the summer.

Summary of Main Findings:

(i) Educational Welfare Officers Make a Positive Impact in 2004/2005:

• The mean percentage of students absent 20 days or more is lower in many of the areas targeted by NEWB, compared to 2003/04.
• Mean percentage of students absent 20 days or more in the most disadvantaged urban primary schools is 24.2% in 2004/05, compared to 28.7% in 2003/04.
• Mean percentage of students absent 20 days or more in RAPID primary schools is 19.0% in 2004/05, compared to 23.7% in 2003/04.
• Mean percentage of students absent 20 days or more in the most disadvantaged post-primary schools is 34.8% in 2004/05, compared to 38.0% in 2003/04.
• Mean percentage of students absent 20 days or more in RAPID post-primary schools is 22.0% in 2004/05, compared to 26.0% in 2003/04.

(ii) Absenteeism is a national issue. In 2004 / 2005:

• The average primary school student missed 11 school days. The average Post Primary student missed 14 days
• 1 in every 10 Primary school (approximately 47,000 students) missed 20 or more school days.  Almost 1 in every 5Post Primary school students missed 20 days or more (approximately 37,000 students under 16).

(iii) Levels of Disadvantage and Levels of Non-attendance are linked

• Primary school students in the most disadvantaged areas missed on average 15 school days compared to an average of 10 school days missed by primary school students in the least disadvantaged areas. Post-primary school students in the most disadvantaged areas missed on average 21 days compared to an average of 10 school days a year missed by students in the least disadvantaged areas.
• 1 in every 5 primary school students in the most disadvantaged Primary schools missed 20 or more school days. More than 1 in every 3 school students in the most disadvantaged Post Primary schools missed 20 or more school days

(iv)  Urban Primary Schools Face Greater Challenges

• Almost 1 in every 7 urban primary school students missed 20 or more school days every year compared to almost 1 in every 13 rural primary school students.

(v) Vocational Schools Face Greater Challenges

• Students in vocational schools missed on average 17 school days.
• Almost 1 in every 4 vocational school students missed 20 or more school days compared  to almost 1 in every 7 secondary school students, and one in every five community  / comprehensive students.

(vi) Expulsions

• There were 5 recorded expulsions at primary level in 2004/05.
• There were 93 recorded expulsions at post-primary level in 2004/05.

(vii) Student Suspensions

• Of the 2,641 primary schools that returned valid data relating to suspensions in 2004/05, 2,402 recorded no suspensions. Therefore, a total of 239 primary schools suspended 908 students in 2004/05. Of these, 98 schools reported only 1 student and two schools reported 87 students.
• Of the 557 post-primary schools that returned valid data relating to suspensions in 2004/05, 78 recorded no suspensions. Therefore, a total of 479 schools suspended 11,746 students at post primary level in 2004/05. Of these, 10 schools reported over 100 students each.

(viii) 100% attendance

• There were a total of 15,336 primary school students with 100% attendance, representing an average of just fewer than 6 students per school. Of the 2,648 schools that returned valid data, 2,227 schools had at least 1 student with 100% attendance.
• There were 7,984 students at post-primary level with 100% attendance, based on data returned by 557 schools. 504 schools had at least one student with 100% attendance. Of these 504, 51 had only 1 or 2 students with 100% attendance. Secondary schools had an average of over 17 students with 100% attendance, compared to an average of 7 in Vocational schools.

Download Report (PDF)

For further information contact:

Elaine O’Mahoney

01 8738603/087 130 8799