Unauthorised school absences have almost doubled in the Black Country since Covid
The number of students taking unauthorised absences from Black Country schools has almost doubled since Covid, new data shows.
After the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc on the UK's education sector, it has been revealed that the number of pupils missing school without permission has almost doubled.
The Association for School and College and College Leaders said attendance is "one of the biggest challenges" that schools must face.
The worst-hit area in the Black Country was Walsall, with 170,000 of 4.7 million school sessions missed without permission in the borough.
This number meant that children in the area had an unauthorised absence rate of 3.6 per cent as opposed to 1.8 per cent in the period 2018 - 2019.
Walsall Council told the Express & Star: "We are working closely with our schools to support improved attendance. We recognise there is a clear correlation between attendance and attainment.
"Children who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve the expected standards.
