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Truancy in England hits new high | Truancy in England hits new high |
(19 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." |
He said one-fifth of absences were by pupils known as "persistent truants" and that head teachers were targeting that group. | |
There has been progress in this area, particularly in secondary schools. The rate of persistent absentees in secondary schools is 5%, down from 5.6% in the previous year. | |
Across all schools, the rate of persistent absentees fell from 3.6% to 3.3%. | |
Children in special schools and those on free school meals are more likely than others to be persistent truants. | |
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", which include Pupil Referral Units, where children are taught if they leave or are expelled from mainstream school. | Truancy rates are highest in the country's "special schools", which include Pupil Referral Units, where children are taught if they leave or are expelled from mainstream school. |
Children with special educational needs or disabilities are also taught in special schools. | Children with special educational needs or disabilities are also taught in special schools. |
Across England, areas with high levels of absenteeism include Manchester, Sandwell in the West Midlands and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. | |
Low levels of unauthorised absence (truancy) were found in Kingston-upon-Thames, Northumberland, Durham, West Sussex and Devon. | |
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%. | 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%. |
'Disgraceful' | 'Disgraceful' |
The opposition parties have attacked the government's record on truancy. | The opposition parties have attacked the government's record on truancy. |
Shadow schools minister Nick Gibb said: "Despite over £1bn of spending the government has failed to tackle truancy. Unauthorised absences are at an all time high and 67,000 children miss school every day. | |
"Persistent absenteeism and truancy is linked with low levels of literacy and must be tackled. We will also allow schools to insist on enforceable home school contracts - so parents play their part in ensuring their children go to school." | "Persistent absenteeism and truancy is linked with low levels of literacy and must be tackled. We will also allow schools to insist on enforceable home school contracts - so parents play their part in ensuring their children go to school." |
Liberal Democrat schools spokesman David Laws said: "These figures are disgraceful. Despite Tony Blair promising to get a grip on this problem more than a decade ago, truancy levels have rocketed. | Liberal Democrat schools spokesman David Laws said: "These figures are disgraceful. Despite Tony Blair promising to get a grip on this problem more than a decade ago, truancy levels have rocketed. |
"It's obvious that Labour's top-down approach has failed. We need a more effective local approach involving parents, schools and the police." | "It's obvious that Labour's top-down approach has failed. We need a more effective local approach involving parents, schools and the police." |