Overall absence falls to
record low but Young People's Minister urges schools,
councils and parents to do more to target persistent absentees
DEPARTMENT FOR
CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES News Release (2008/0030) issued by
The Government News Network on 26 February 2008
Persistent absence
is falling and overall absence is at a record low, as efforts to
turn the tide on poor school attendance continue to show good
results, the Government announced today.
But Minister for Young People Kevin Brennan is writing to all
local authorities urging them to keep up the pressure on
persistent absence, tackling the causes, ensuring good behaviour
and making parents accountable.
This year's attendance data is the most detailed ever,
including reasons for absence to enable local authorities and
schools to keep closer tabs on absence and focus their resources.
Mr Brennan used it to issue a challenge to local authorities and
schools to cut persistent absence by at least a third by 2011.
Between 2004 and 2007 over 30,000 penalty notices have been
issued to parents because of their child's high level of
unauthorised absence and over 19,000 parenting contracts were
agreed to improve attendance.
Kevin Brennan said: "Overall absence is at a record low, as
has been the trend over the past decade. We're on course to
meet our 2008 target of reducing absence by 8 per cent compared to
2002/3 figures.
"But working with schools and local authorities we need to
do much more. While we have cut the amount of persistent absence -
from 7.1 % to 6.7 % - in the last year it is still the major
challenge we must tackle.
"About seven per cent of pupils account for a third of all
absence in secondary schools but the evidence shows that
targeting is working, with 436 schools with the biggest share of
persistent absence having reduced it by almost 20 per cent in a year.
"Local authorities, schools and parents all have a key role
to play in ensuring children attend school, are on time and
don't go on unauthorised term-time holidays. We want to offer
all the support we can to vulnerable children - for example, young
carers, children with special educational needs and victims of
bullying. However there's no excuse for parents who turn a
blind eye or schools that accept weak reasons for absence.
"The logical consequence of successfully getting tougher on
absence is that the overall figure will fall and fewer excuses be
accepted, increasing 'unauthorised' absences.
"So it is no surprise when the "unauthorised
absence" figure goes up because schools are taking a tougher
stance on weak excuses they may once have authorised. The result
is that overall absence is going down because parents are getting
the message every lesson counts. Dubious absences are now being
rigorously queried rather than overlooked as they may have been a
decade ago. Another drop in overall absence this year shows
we're succeeding, with on average 58,000 more pupils in
school each day than if absence were still at 1997 levels."
"Behind every single absence statistic is an individual
story we need to get to the bottom of and solve. There can be no
passivity in the face of the scourge of persistent absence.
"We will encourage schools and councils to provide whatever
positive support they can. But parents who fail in their duty to
get their kids to school every day should expect tough sanctions."
Local authorities have a vital part to play in targeting support
where it is needed and supporting schools in minimising pupil absence.
The detailed figures for primary schools mean greater emphasis on
tackling pupils' absence issues early and heading off
persistent absence later in their school life.
Evidence shows that schools and local authorities targeting
intervention at the most needed areas is the best way to drive
down absenteeism. Some examples of good practice would include:
* Local authorities carrying out coordinated school attendance
and exclusions sweeps;
* Schools working in partnership to help reduce persistent absence.
Ministers want schools to learn from the best practice of others.
For example, Quarrendon School in Buckinghamshire has launched
initiatives including a Cockerel Club, where an attendance officer
phones pupils between 7.30 and 8.30 to check they are ready for
school and teaching assistants monitor the school gates to take
the names of late arrivals and pass them on to tutors.
Aldworth Science College in Basingstoke, Hampshire has tackled
the fear of bullying during break periods by providing a safe
room, which has encouraged pupils to maintain full attendance. It
has also worked hard to build up strong engagement with parents
and has banned term-time holidays during key exam periods and for
14-16 year olds.
NOTES TO EDITORS
* Statistics can be found here: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000775/index.shtml
* Promoting regular attendance is a key component in the
Government's strategy to raise educational standards and
ensure children's welfare. Absence from school increases the
likelihood that pupils will leave school without qualifications.
Absence can lead to an increased risk of harm or injury for
children, or their potential involvement in criminal or
anti-social behaviour. The School Attendance Strategy provides a
balanced package of support and sanctions to reinforce parental
responsibility for school attendance.
* Parents are responsible for ensuring that their compulsory
school-age children are receiving a full-time suitable education.
They can do this by sending their children to school or by using
other means such as home education. Where registered at a school,
parents are responsible for ensuring the child's regular
attendance. Schools must provide children with 380 half-day
learning sessions each academic year, and accurately record attendance.
* The Children's Plan set for all local authorities the goal
of 5 per cent or fewer persistent absentee pupils by 2011,
reducing the level by a third from 7.7 per cent in spring 2006.
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