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More primary age pupils truanting More primary age pupils truanting
(10 minutes later)
More primary school pupils have been playing truant from England's schools, latest official figures reveal.More primary school pupils have been playing truant from England's schools, latest official figures reveal.
This meant an increase in the overall rate of unauthorised absence last year to a record level, though in secondary schools it fell slightly.This meant an increase in the overall rate of unauthorised absence last year to a record level, though in secondary schools it fell slightly.
Overall, the percentages of half day sessions missed by pupils was 6.68%: 5.89% of which was authorised and 0.79% unauthorised - the worst it has been.Overall, the percentages of half day sessions missed by pupils was 6.68%: 5.89% of which was authorised and 0.79% unauthorised - the worst it has been.
The official statistics count the school year only up to 26 May.The official statistics count the school year only up to 26 May.
BreakdownBreakdown
The Department for Education and Skills statistics showed that in primary schools, unauthorised absence increased by almost 7% from last year's final figure, from 0.43% to 0.46% of half day sessions.The Department for Education and Skills statistics showed that in primary schools, unauthorised absence increased by almost 7% from last year's final figure, from 0.43% to 0.46% of half day sessions.
In secondary schools it fell, by less than 1%, from 1.23% to 1.22%.In secondary schools it fell, by less than 1%, from 1.23% to 1.22%.
Authorised absences - which include holidays in term-time and sickness - rose by 6% in primary schools from 5% to 5.3% of half days.Authorised absences - which include holidays in term-time and sickness - rose by 6% in primary schools from 5% to 5.3% of half days.
In secondary schools authorised absences also rose, although not as markedly: from 6.58% to 6.7%.In secondary schools authorised absences also rose, although not as markedly: from 6.58% to 6.7%.
These were the first rises in authorised absences since 2001. Ministers have been ordering schools to clamp down on permitting term-time holidays, even though parents know they are entitled to take 10 days a year.
Schools Minister Jim Knight vowed to keep up the pressure on schools and local authorities to improve attendance.
TargetingTargeting
MPs and the National Audit Office have said that despite the millions of pounds spent on truancy initiatives, the problem has remained stubbornly hard to crack.MPs and the National Audit Office have said that despite the millions of pounds spent on truancy initiatives, the problem has remained stubbornly hard to crack.
But the Department for Education and Skills will be stressing that efforts to tackle persistent truancy by relatively few pupils can pay off.But the Department for Education and Skills will be stressing that efforts to tackle persistent truancy by relatively few pupils can pay off.
It has been focusing on 200 schools where pupils took more than 20 days out of school without permission across a year.It has been focusing on 200 schools where pupils took more than 20 days out of school without permission across a year.
The department says that nationally such persistent truants account for 1% of the school population, but more than 30% of all truancy.The department says that nationally such persistent truants account for 1% of the school population, but more than 30% of all truancy.
Once the problem children were identified, their parents were put on a "Fast Track to Attendance" scheme with an automatic court prosecution unless their child's attendance improved within 12 weeks.Once the problem children were identified, their parents were put on a "Fast Track to Attendance" scheme with an automatic court prosecution unless their child's attendance improved within 12 weeks.
ReductionReduction
Each truant, together with their parents, was assigned a dedicated truancy officer to draw up an individual action plan to improve their attendance.Each truant, together with their parents, was assigned a dedicated truancy officer to draw up an individual action plan to improve their attendance.
Truants and their parents also had support from social and youth services to tackle any wider issues such as drugs, mental health or parenting skill shortages.Truants and their parents also had support from social and youth services to tackle any wider issues such as drugs, mental health or parenting skill shortages.
At Edmonton County School in Enfield, north-west London, 40 youngsters were identified as persistent truants at the start of the last school year.At Edmonton County School in Enfield, north-west London, 40 youngsters were identified as persistent truants at the start of the last school year.
The school has managed to reduce this number to just four.The school has managed to reduce this number to just four.
And nationally, the 200 schools have managed to achieve a total reduction of 27% of numbers of persistent truants - equivalent to some 3,500 pupils, the department said.And nationally, the 200 schools have managed to achieve a total reduction of 27% of numbers of persistent truants - equivalent to some 3,500 pupils, the department said.
Even so, the statistics underline the fact that truancy is not only something caused by a hardcore minority.Even so, the statistics underline the fact that truancy is not only something caused by a hardcore minority.
Typically, on any school day some 55,000 pupils are absent without permission.Typically, on any school day some 55,000 pupils are absent without permission.
Across the country as a whole, more than a fifth of secondary school pupils are absent without permission at some point during the year - in some areas, almost half of them.Across the country as a whole, more than a fifth of secondary school pupils are absent without permission at some point during the year - in some areas, almost half of them.