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School absence higher among poor School absence higher among poor
(about 5 hours later)
Persistent absence from school is five times higher in England's poorest areas than in the richest, government figures show.Persistent absence from school is five times higher in England's poorest areas than in the richest, government figures show.
Some 50,000 children in the poorest neighbourhoods are absent one day a week on average, according to an analysis by the Conservatives.Some 50,000 children in the poorest neighbourhoods are absent one day a week on average, according to an analysis by the Conservatives.
The government stresses the link between attendance and exam results.The government stresses the link between attendance and exam results.
It has spent more than £1.4bn on anti-truancy drives and says overall absence has come down. It has spent more than £1.4bn on anti-truancy drives, and says overall absence has come down.
The figures show 6.1% of children in the most deprived 10% of areas were persistently absent, compared with 1.2% at the other end of the spectrum.The figures show 6.1% of children in the most deprived 10% of areas were persistently absent, compared with 1.2% at the other end of the spectrum.
The government defines persistent absence as missing at least one fifth of the available school sessions for any reason including truancy.The government defines persistent absence as missing at least one fifth of the available school sessions for any reason including truancy.
'Vital''Vital'
The worst local authority was Manchester, with 6.7% persistent absentees. The best mainstream authority was Rutland, on 2.1%.The worst local authority was Manchester, with 6.7% persistent absentees. The best mainstream authority was Rutland, on 2.1%.
Shadow Children's Secretary Michael Gove said: "Attendance at school is absolutely vital if children are going to get the education they need to succeed later on.Shadow Children's Secretary Michael Gove said: "Attendance at school is absolutely vital if children are going to get the education they need to succeed later on.
"Children that are missing a fifth of school inevitably struggle to keep up, which leads to problems with low achievement and poor behaviour down the line.""Children that are missing a fifth of school inevitably struggle to keep up, which leads to problems with low achievement and poor behaviour down the line."
He said the figures showed the problem was concentrated in the most deprived neighbourhoods.He said the figures showed the problem was concentrated in the most deprived neighbourhoods.
"We need to focus on these areas, giving extra money to schools that take children from the most deprived backgrounds, so that we can give these children the opportunities which others take for granted."We need to focus on these areas, giving extra money to schools that take children from the most deprived backgrounds, so that we can give these children the opportunities which others take for granted.
"This is yet another block on social mobility from a government which has failed to help the poorest in society.""This is yet another block on social mobility from a government which has failed to help the poorest in society."
'Challenging''Challenging'
Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said overall levels of absence were at their lowest ever.Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said overall levels of absence were at their lowest ever.
"If you look at some of the most challenging areas, the needs there are extremely complex."If you look at some of the most challenging areas, the needs there are extremely complex.
"That's why schools are working with other children's services, working with families, in order to try to ensure that we get children where we want them, that is in school.""That's why schools are working with other children's services, working with families, in order to try to ensure that we get children where we want them, that is in school."
They were making school an exciting place to be and challenging children when they did not go, he said.They were making school an exciting place to be and challenging children when they did not go, he said.
But he accused the Tories of misrepresenting the truth and undermining those efforts by suggesting all these children were missing school and nobody cared about it.But he accused the Tories of misrepresenting the truth and undermining those efforts by suggesting all these children were missing school and nobody cared about it.
Other parts of the UK do not count absenteeism in quite the same way, but the pattern is similar.Other parts of the UK do not count absenteeism in quite the same way, but the pattern is similar.
In Scotland, latest figures show that on average in secondary schools each pupil was absent for just under three-and-a-half weeks, while in poorer areas absence amounted to an extra 14 days.In Scotland, latest figures show that on average in secondary schools each pupil was absent for just under three-and-a-half weeks, while in poorer areas absence amounted to an extra 14 days.
In Wales, the government says there is a continuing correlation between absenteeism and the proportion of pupils entitled to free school meals - a deprivation measure.In Wales, the government says there is a continuing correlation between absenteeism and the proportion of pupils entitled to free school meals - a deprivation measure.
Latest figures show the rate of unauthorised absence was more than four times higher in areas where more than 30% qualified for free meals than in areas where under 10% did so.Latest figures show the rate of unauthorised absence was more than four times higher in areas where more than 30% qualified for free meals than in areas where under 10% did so.