LATEST attendance figures from the Welsh Government show that overall school attendance remains worryingly below pre-pandemic levels.
More than half of the most vulnerable pupils in Wales were persistently absent in 2024/25, up from 30.4% in 2018/19.
Year 11 pupils recorded the lowest attendance, averaging 86.8% in 2024/25 – 6.4 percentage points lower than in 2018/19. This follows the Minister for Education’s pledge to restore attendance to pre-pandemic levels “as soon as possible” and “within this Senedd term.”
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, Natasha Asghar MS, said: “The statistics released today are deeply concerning.
“Year 11 being the worst-attended year group highlights a worrying trend for pupils during such a crucial stage of their studies.
“Labour’s plans to improve attendance have clearly failed, along with their attempts to improve literacy and behaviour.
“The Welsh Conservatives have a clear plan to restore discipline and respect in order to boost attendance in schools, only the Welsh Conservatives have a credible plan to fix education and fix Wales.”
