This report presents the findings from a rapid literature review of the barriers to school attendance and reasons for student absence. The review focused on peer-reviewed literature published between January 2020 and June 2023 to ensure the analysis was grounded in high-quality and current evidence. The review did not include grey literature, which may limit its coverage of some of the more diverse factors contributing to absence from school. 

Organised according to the Kids and Teens at School framework (Melvin et al., 2019), this report discusses the strength of evidence related to barriers and reasons for absence across the different systems influencing young people’s development. 

The findings highlight strong evidence that unsupportive teacher–student relationships, feeling unsafe at school (including being a victim of bullying), lower academic achievement and additional learning needs are key school-based barriers to attendance. Furthermore, poor general health, mental health conditions, adverse childhood experiences and student age are identified as factors affecting attendance. 

The review also underscores robust evidence linking economic disadvantage and lower levels of parent education to higher rates of absence. This suggests that students facing these challenges have specific needs that influence their school attendance.