Absence from school for even a short period of time can have a detrimental impact on a pupil’s ability to succeed at school, according to new research from the Department for Education.

The report showed that 44 per cent of youngsters with 100 per cent attendance figures over Key Stage 4 achieve the English Baccalaureate, “opening doors to their future”.

Meanwhile, for students who miss a total of two weeks of school time over the two-year period that leads up to the GCSE exams, only 31.7 per cent get the grades needed for the “gold standard package” of qualifications.

This same pattern, the DfE stated, is also demonstrated at a primary school level, with youngsters who lose 14 days of education at Key Stage 2 level, a quarter less likely to get a Level 5 or above in maths, writing or reading tests, compared to those with no absence.

Education secretary Nicky Morgan said that the “myth that pulling a child out of school for a holiday is harmless to their education has been busted by this research”.

She added that headteachers across the country have been “vindicated” by the findings, which reveal a link between absence and poor academic performance.

“This is why we are doing all we can to encourage more pupils back into class by toughening up on term-time holidays and attendance,” Ms Morgan continued.

“Heads and teachers are now firmly back in charge of their classrooms thanks to our plan for education and new flexibility over term dates allow them to set term breaks outside of peak times.

“Fewer pupils than ever before now regularly skip class, while more pupils than ever before are leaving school with a place in education, employment or training.”

School attendance figures are improving, with the latest data showing that absence is at its lowest rate on record.