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17/09/2003
'Modest' inroads made into reducing truancy
Figures released today have revealed that truancy rates for school children registering a "modest improvement".
The headline rate of unauthorised absence declined, with around 700 fewer pupils playing truant each day. Up to 133 of 150 local education authorities have also reported an improvement in attendance at secondary level.
The government have hailed the figures as the equivalent of almost an entire secondary school back in education daily.
Education Minister Ivan Lewis said that the rates were "impressive" and the government's £470 million Behaviour and Attendance Strategy will now "come into its own from this term".
He added: "The causes of truancy are complex and challenging, and today's figures show a welcome change in absence rates that have remained largely unchanged since records began in 1994.
"We are delivering the first sustained national strategy to deal with the problem, and I am hopeful that our Behaviour and Attendance Strategy will contribute to a greater improvement in attendance rates for the current academic year. But parents and schools must join with us to make sure that every day in school counts."
The three-year £470 million Behaviour and Attendance Strategy began in the academic year 2002/03, offering targeted assistance to local education authorities.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Bill currently before Parliament contains further measures to drive down truancy with penalty notices and parenting contracts to offer both sanction and support to parents of persistent truants.
(gmcg)
The headline rate of unauthorised absence declined, with around 700 fewer pupils playing truant each day. Up to 133 of 150 local education authorities have also reported an improvement in attendance at secondary level.
The government have hailed the figures as the equivalent of almost an entire secondary school back in education daily.
Education Minister Ivan Lewis said that the rates were "impressive" and the government's £470 million Behaviour and Attendance Strategy will now "come into its own from this term".
He added: "The causes of truancy are complex and challenging, and today's figures show a welcome change in absence rates that have remained largely unchanged since records began in 1994.
"We are delivering the first sustained national strategy to deal with the problem, and I am hopeful that our Behaviour and Attendance Strategy will contribute to a greater improvement in attendance rates for the current academic year. But parents and schools must join with us to make sure that every day in school counts."
The three-year £470 million Behaviour and Attendance Strategy began in the academic year 2002/03, offering targeted assistance to local education authorities.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Bill currently before Parliament contains further measures to drive down truancy with penalty notices and parenting contracts to offer both sanction and support to parents of persistent truants.
(gmcg)
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03 October 2003
Parents face £100 fines for truant children
Parents could face fines of up to £100 if their children persistently play truant from school, according to a consultation paper published today. Guidance to ensure effective use of new powers to tackle criminal and anti-social behaviour, and truancy and misbehaviour in schools, has been published for consultation today.
Parents face £100 fines for truant children
Parents could face fines of up to £100 if their children persistently play truant from school, according to a consultation paper published today. Guidance to ensure effective use of new powers to tackle criminal and anti-social behaviour, and truancy and misbehaviour in schools, has been published for consultation today.
27 May 2003
Tories slam government over truancy figures
The Conservative Party has claimed today that the latest figures point to a "growing culture of truancy engulfing schools", despite a £650 million high-profile government campaign.
Tories slam government over truancy figures
The Conservative Party has claimed today that the latest figures point to a "growing culture of truancy engulfing schools", despite a £650 million high-profile government campaign.
04 February 2005
Schools failing to tackle pupil absence, report claims
The National Audit Office's (NAO) latest report has criticised the limited progress made by schools in reducing pupil absence levels.
Schools failing to tackle pupil absence, report claims
The National Audit Office's (NAO) latest report has criticised the limited progress made by schools in reducing pupil absence levels.
21 September 2005
Truancy figures rise
The number of pupils playing truant from England’s schools has increased, the latest government figures have revealed. The Department of Education figures for 2004/05 showed a 0.07% increase in unauthorised absences in England’s schools.
Truancy figures rise
The number of pupils playing truant from England’s schools has increased, the latest government figures have revealed. The Department of Education figures for 2004/05 showed a 0.07% increase in unauthorised absences in England’s schools.
16 April 2012
Truancy Fines Should Come Directly From Child Benefit - Report Says
A government advisor on school behaviour has said parents of children who are regularly play truant should have their child benefit cut. Behaviour tsar Charlie Taylor has said the cut in child-benefit should be used to directly pay truancy fines in a crackdown on absenteeism.
Truancy Fines Should Come Directly From Child Benefit - Report Says
A government advisor on school behaviour has said parents of children who are regularly play truant should have their child benefit cut. Behaviour tsar Charlie Taylor has said the cut in child-benefit should be used to directly pay truancy fines in a crackdown on absenteeism.
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