The most recent data for the 2023/24 cohort shows that 31.5% of secondary school pupils - almost one in three - youngsters in the city’s secondary schools were classed as persistently absent.
This compares to 25.6% of pupils in all state-funded England secondary schools. Persistent absence is those pupils missing 10% or more of the mornings or afternoons they could attend.
School absence is one of the biggest contributory factors in determining pupil attainment in their GCSEs. The most recent Government report (2025) showed pupils with attendance rates of 95% to 100% are three times more likely to achieve a grade 5 or above (old grade C) in English and maths compared to persistently absent pupils who only attend 85% to 90% of the time.
Even within the city’s secondary schools there is a wide disparity in persistent absence rates, ranging between 43% and 22.4%.
Check out the persistent absence rate for your son or daughter’s secondary school. The list does not include the city’s special schools.
13. Hetton Academy
Hetton Academy had a persistent absence rate of 30.4% which is below the local authority average of 31.5% and above the England average of 25.6%. | Google
14. Kepier
Kepier had a persistent absence rate of 28.3% which is below the local authority average of 31.5% and above the England average of 25.6%. | National World Photo: Stu Norton
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15. Southmoor Academy
Southmoor Academy had a persistent absence rate of 26.8% which is below the local authority average of 31.5% and above the England average of 25.6%. | Google/LDRS
16. St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College
St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College had a persistent absence rate of 23.3% which is below the local authority average of 31.5% and the England average of 25.6%. | Google