How Low Attendance Can Affect Examination Results

Research shows that attending school regularly makes a significant difference to how well young people perform in their examinations. Below is a summary of the key findings from current studies.

Students with high attendance achieve better examination results

A major government study (March 2025) found that students who attend school regularly achieve higher academic outcomes at every stage of education. The research showed a clear link between higher attendance and stronger attainment, even when other factors were taken into account.

Missing just a few days can make a big difference at GCSE

• Year 11 students with 95%+ attendance (missing fewer than 10 days a year) were almost twice as likely to get a Grade 5 in English and Maths compared to students attending 90–95%.

• Missing just 10 days in Year 11 halved the odds of getting a Grade 5 in English and Maths.

These are small amounts of time that add up quickly — which is why consistency matters.

Attendance matters just as much in Sixth Form

Although national research is more limited for post-16 students, evidence consistently shows that poor attendance is associated with lower attainment and reduced progression opportunities.

For students studying A Levels, every lesson is particularly important because courses are taught over just two years and each lesson covers substantial amounts of content. Missing one lesson can mean missing an entire topic, practical activity, assessment preparation session or examination technique.

• A student with 95% attendance misses approximately one in every twenty lessons.
• In a typical A Level subject, this can equate to approximately 10 hours of learning lost per year.
• If attendance falls to 90%, the amount of lost learning can increase to 20 hours or more per subject.

Because A Level learning is cumulative, gaps in knowledge can quickly affect confidence, progress and final examination outcomes. Students who maintain excellent attendance place themselves in the strongest position to achieve their target grades and progress to university, apprenticeships or employment.

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Why Does Attendance Affect Results So Much?

1. Students miss important teaching

Lessons build on prior learning. Missing even a small amount of teaching can create gaps in knowledge that make future learning more difficult.

2. Learning routines are interrupted

Students make the best progress when learning is consistent. Regular attendance helps establish effective study habits, resilience and confidence.

3. Extra pressure builds up

Students who fall behind often experience increased:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Feelings of being overwhelmed

This can have a negative impact on both achievement and wellbeing.

4. Students miss support from teachers and peers

Regular attendance helps students build positive relationships with teachers and classmates. These relationships contribute significantly to engagement, confidence and success.

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Long-Term Effects

Research also suggests that poor attendance can affect future opportunities beyond school. Students who are persistently absent are more likely to experience lower educational attainment and reduced employment prospects later in life.

• Students who are persistently absent in secondary school could earn around £10,000 less by age 28 compared with students who attend regularly.

• Each additional day missed between Years 7–11 is linked to around £750 lower lifetime earnings.

These findings highlight why building strong attendance habits is so important. Whether a student is in Year 7, preparing for GCSEs, or studying A Levels in Sixth Form, every lesson counts and every day matters.

Further Reading - Everything you need to know about school attendance, 95%+ attendance almost doubles odds of GCSE pass and Why school attendance matters