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School truancy 'at record high' | School truancy 'at record high' |
(20 minutes later) | |
The truancy rate for schools in England has risen slightly - to the highest level ever recorded. | The truancy rate for schools in England has risen slightly - to the highest level ever recorded. |
Statistics for the last academic year (to July 2009), show the rate of unauthorised absence rose by 0.04%. | Statistics for the last academic year (to July 2009), show the rate of unauthorised absence rose by 0.04%. |
That means that 1.05% of school sessions were missed without permission - up from 1.01%. | That means that 1.05% of school sessions were missed without permission - up from 1.01%. |
The government confirms that the truancy rate is at its highest level, but says that overall absence from school has fallen to a record low. | The government confirms that the truancy rate is at its highest level, but says that overall absence from school has fallen to a record low. |
This is explained by fewer children missing school with permission. | This is explained by fewer children missing school with permission. |
When truancy and authorised absence are taken together, the overall absence rate is 6.27% - a slight fall on the previous year's level of 6.29%. | When truancy and authorised absence are taken together, the overall absence rate is 6.27% - a slight fall on the previous year's level of 6.29%. |
The government has been trying to clamp down on truancy and parents have been prosecuted for letting their children miss school - but it is proving a hard nut to crack. | The government has been trying to clamp down on truancy and parents have been prosecuted for letting their children miss school - but it is proving a hard nut to crack. |
When Labour came to power in 1997, the annual rate of unauthorised absence was 0.7% - a constant figure since 1994. | When Labour came to power in 1997, the annual rate of unauthorised absence was 0.7% - a constant figure since 1994. |
Parents' fault | Parents' fault |
Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said: "Overall absence has again fallen to a record low. Every day over 70,000 more pupils are now in school than would be the case if absence rates were still at the level of 1996/97. | Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said: "Overall absence has again fallen to a record low. Every day over 70,000 more pupils are now in school than would be the case if absence rates were still at the level of 1996/97. |
Ultimately it is down to parents - not schools Vernon Coaker, Schools Minister Government statistics | Ultimately it is down to parents - not schools Vernon Coaker, Schools Minister Government statistics |
"Schools are, quite rightly, cracking down on absence. Weak excuses for missing school, such as over-sleeping or a day's holiday, are no longer accepted - so it's no surprise that with this tougher approach there is a slight rise in unauthorised absence. | "Schools are, quite rightly, cracking down on absence. Weak excuses for missing school, such as over-sleeping or a day's holiday, are no longer accepted - so it's no surprise that with this tougher approach there is a slight rise in unauthorised absence. |
"Ultimately it is down to parents - not schools. Parents have a clear duty to ensure that their child is in school and are not simply allowing them to miss their education." | "Ultimately it is down to parents - not schools. Parents have a clear duty to ensure that their child is in school and are not simply allowing them to miss their education." |
The figures - released by the Department for Children Schools and Families - show that the rate of truancy at England's secondary schools stayed the same as in 2007/08, but that the rate rose in England's primary schools. | The figures - released by the Department for Children Schools and Families - show that the rate of truancy at England's secondary schools stayed the same as in 2007/08, but that the rate rose in England's primary schools. |
Truancy rates are highest in the country's "special schools", where children are taught if they leave or are expelled from mainstream school. | Truancy rates are highest in the country's "special schools", where children are taught if they leave or are expelled from mainstream school. |
Across England, areas with high levels of absenteeism include Manchester, Sandwell in the West Midlands and Newcastle-upon- Tyne. | Across England, areas with high levels of absenteeism include Manchester, Sandwell in the West Midlands and Newcastle-upon- Tyne. |
Lowest levels were found in the City of London, Kingston-upon-Thames and the Isles of Scilly. | Lowest levels were found in the City of London, Kingston-upon-Thames and the Isles of Scilly. |
Across the UK, overall absence rates in Northern Ireland are similar to those in England, while those in Scotland and Wales are a little higher, at roughly 6.8%. |