School truancy

Truancy rates for schools in England have risen sharply, according to the latest figures.

The figures published on Wednesday show a rise from 0.72 per cent in the 2003/04 academic year to 0.79 per cent in 2004/05  - the biggest increase for years.

For secondary schools, levels of unauthorised absence increased to 1.25 per cent and primary school truancy was also up, despite huge government investment to improve attendances.

Government Response: Department for Education and Skills

Schools minister Jacqui Smith said: "Overall school attendance is at record levels and the majority of parents are supporting schools in ensuring their child attends regularly. Schools are also treating absenteeism more rigorously, challenging questionable reasons for absence and cracking down on unnecessary time out of school.

"It is disappointing that a stubborn minority of pupils, estimated at 8,000 in just 4% of secondary schools, remain determined to jeopardise their education and their futures through persistent truancy. While the causes of truancy are complex and challenging, we will focus on this minority who are responsible for much of unauthorised absence.

"We will continue to support local education authorities and schools facing the greatest challenges with targeted measures that we know work in improving attendance, but will also not hesitate to support them in using sanctions such as prosecution and penalty fines for those parents who are simply unwilling to get their children into school."

Opposition Response: The Conservatives

David Cameron, shadow education secretary said: "These figures are dreadful. The government has spent nearly £1bn on tackling truancy and yet it is getting worse.

"They need to realise that simply throwing money at the situation and re-announcing initiatives is not going to solve the problem.

"The government's proposals to 'fast track' parents of serial truants have been announced before - and have clearly not been very effective, as on the government's own measure truancy is worse than ever. Simply re-announcing gimmicks is clearly not going to be the answer.

"The government must address why so many pupils are choosing not to attend school.

"Home school contracts and greater flexibility within the curriculum - giving more importance to vocational training where appropriate, would go some way to helping the situation. We must take shared responsibility - the government, teachers and parents all need to play their part."

Stakeholder Response: NUT

Steve Sinnott, general secretary of the NUT, said: "These figures are extremely disappointing, especially given the efforts made by schools and government through the 'Sure Start' and 'Every Child Matters' programme.

"The government must keep its nerve in tackling these problems. There are no easy solutions to truanting.

"Identifying the 8,000 hardcore truants at 146 schools and targeting them for specific help to end the truancy may provide the spur which will end the truanting of these children. 

"Equally the prospect of prosecution leading to a hefty fine or possible imprisonment of parents if attendance does not improve during those 12 weeks may be a sufficient shock. 

"It may also be a deterrent to other parents who do not take their responsibilities for their children’s regular attendance at school sufficiently seriously.

"Sadly there is a small group of parents who do not respect education and they come not just from deprived circumstances but from among the better off as well. 

"This attitude seriously damages children’s future prospects and leaves them vulnerable to the temptations and dangers of the streets.

"There may also be problems related to drink and drugs which undermine the stability of some families which require longer term attention.

"Schools do not readily reach for court action to overcome problems of truancy.  That only happens at the end of a long line of other approaches.

"If the incidence of truancy is to be reduced, it can only be done with the support of local authorities.  Only they have the resources to provide the services needed for such work.

"Truancy is not a new phenomenon: but it has to be tackled no matter how difficult or intractable the problem may seem."

Stakeholder Response: PAT

Jean Gemmell, general secretary of PAT, said: "The level of truancy in our schools is still unacceptably high. Children wandering the streets during school hours are an all too common sight.

"We are particularly concerned by the number of children who truant with their parents' knowledge - and even take unauthorised time off school with their parents.

"We welcome government moves to identify and deal with the most persistent truants, especially those whose actions are condoned by their parents. However, imprisoning parents could make matters worse. Parents do need to realise that they can be held responsible for their children's failure to attend school and taken to court.

"However, imprisoning parents should be a last resort, as sending parents to prison has an adverse effect on family life. A positive relationship between schools and parents is important to pupils' success.

"Prevention is better than cure. Reducing truancy levels isn't just about catching truants. We need to reach hearts and minds and change the attitudes of truants and their parents. Children missing school are missing out on an enormous opportunity - a free education -and  jeopardising their future chances in life.

"The government, local authorities, schools, parents and the wider community must work in partnership to ensure that pupils attend school regularly. Teachers need the support of parents. We need to encourage parents to foster in their children a greater respect for schools and a belief in the importance of education. 

"The government too must examine and tackle the underlying causes of truancy, which may mean looking critically at the curriculum diet on offer at the moment.

"Schools and LEAs need more resources to be able to follow up cases of truancy."

Stakeholder Response: SHA

Dr John Dunford, general secretary of SHA, said: "It is encouraging that the overall attendance figure has improved. This is a more reliable statistic than the level of unauthorised absence, where it is very difficult to compare like with like.

"Having said that, there remains a serious problem with a small proportion of young people who make little educational progress because they do not attend school. 

"I am pleased that the government is supporting strong action by schools to deal with this situation.

"Too often, however, parents are unable to control teenagers who truant regularly, so action and support need to be focussed on both the child and the parent."

Stakeholder Response: NASUWT