The study found that absences from school at the end of the week are more common ahead of bank holidays or half-term breaks. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson recently described the number of children missing school in England as an “absence epidemic”
Scientists have pin-pointed a common mistake that is exposing parents who take their kids on term-time holidays to save cash.
Pupils are missing school on Fridays so parents can dodge bank holiday traffic or elongate their holidays, University of Bath economists have revealed. The researchers found a marked rise in absences on Fridays before Bank Holiday weekends, suggesting parents are letting their kids skip school in order to bag cheaper long-weekends away.
This news emerges amidst Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s concerns about the “absence epidemic” in England’s schools. Tougher penalties await parents taking kids out of school without an okay, a government move to lift attendance post-Covid.
School leaders trying to crack down on rising absentee figures may use the findings to probe parents who take their kids out of school on certain days, slapping them with fines stretching into the hundreds of pounds if they’re rumbled.
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Speculation by ex-Education Secretary Gillian Keegan in May hinted at home-working parents influencing truancy on Fridays; the University of Bath, however, found “no evidence” to back this claim. Using day-to-day attendance stats from local education authorities, provided by the Department of Education since academic year 2022/2023’s start, showed Friday attendances across England dipping significantly, spiking absence rates by 20% against the rest of the week.
The “Friday effect” of unauthorised absences appears to be more pronounced in areas with higher levels of deprivation, according to the recent study. Jonathan James from the Department of Economics at the University of Bath stated: “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.”
Dr James further noted: “Addressing these patterns could reduce the effect by one-third to a half. 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 school leaders could try a few simple things to bump up attendance on a Friday.
“Tackling these patterns of weekly absences can help raise attainment levels and reduce educational inequalities. Simple measures like sending newsletters, emails, or text messages to remind parents of the negative impact of absences on academic performance could be effective,” she said.
“Additionally, schools might consider scheduling engaging activities on Fridays, such as award ceremonies, to boost attendance.”
In a recent Sunday Times article, Ms Phillipson criticised lenient parents for letting their kids skip school for minor reasons like holidays, birthdays, or even a mere “runny nose”. February saw the Department for Education announce a hefty penalty regime for absenteeism, starting with a £80 fine if settled within 21 days, doubling to £160 thereafter from this academic year onward.
