Pupils at Eden Boys’ School, in Birmingham, attend school more frequently than pupils of any other school in England after being named as having the lowest pupil absence rate in the country.

Pupil absence data for the 2017/18 academic year was released by the Department for Education today (Thursday 21st March) and the Wellhead Lane school topped the secondary league table for the third consecutive year.

It confirmed an overall pupil absence rate at Eden Boys’ School of just 1.7%, well below the national secondary school average of 5.5%.

Principal Asiyah Ravat said: “I am incredibly proud that Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham has the lowest absence rate in the country. The well-being of our pupils is paramount to us. Our team of staff is committed to creating a school environment where pupils want to be and where they enjoy learning. Well done to our pupils, parents and staff for achieving such outstanding levels of attendance.”

Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham is part of Star Academies, one of the country’s leading multi-academy trusts. In total, eight of Star Academies’ secondary schools have been ranked in the top 50 schools in England with the lowest pupil absence rates. The eight Star Academies secondary schools, along with their overall position in the performance table, are:

  • Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham – ranked 1st
  • Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy, Manchester – ranked 2nd
  • Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School, Blackburn – ranked 5th
  • Eden Boys’ School, Preston – ranked 6th
  • Eden Boys’ School, Bolton – ranked 8th
  • Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School, Blackburn – ranked 9th
  • Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Manchester – ranked 15th
  • Eden Girls’ School, Slough – ranked 50th
Two of Star Academies’ primary schools – The Olive School, Blackburn and The Olive School, Preston - also featured in the top 1% of England’s primary schools with the lowest pupil absence rates. The Blackburn primary school has the 8th lowest pupil absence in the country, with an absence rate of just 2%, and the Preston school has an absence rate of 2.3% - both well below the national average of 4.2% for primary schools.

Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, Chief Executive of Star Academies said: “It is no coincidence that three of our secondary schools that are in the top 1% for absence are also in the top 5% for academic achievement based on Progress 8 scores. It has been proven that there is a strong correlation between good levels of attendance and high levels of attainment. Our teaching staff work hard to plan and deliver engaging sessions for our pupils to inspire them to want to be in school each day. We are also fortunate to have the support of our parents and carers who encourage and ensure their children turn up on time every day, ready to learn.”

Eden Boys’ is a secondary free school for pupils 11 – 16 in Birmingham. Eden Boys’ part of Star Academies, one of the UK’s leading multi-academy trusts, opened in September 2015 and currently has pupils in Years 7 to 10.