Truancy at record levels

[Osem]

The school truancy rate is at a record high and has shot up by 44% since Labour came to power, government statistics revealed today.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/...ls-record-high

Another of those New Labour success stories....

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Osem

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/...ls-record-high

Another of those New Labour success stories....

educashuun educashuun educashuun

Statistics,statistics,statistics...

Truancy in secondary schools has remained static between 2007-8 and 2009 with pupils missing 1.49% of half-days.While the number of days missed from truancy has risen overall, the number of pupils who are "persistent absentees" – meaning they missed a day of school a week or more in 2008-09 has fallen. Some 208,380 pupils are persistent absentees, compared to 233,000 in the previous year.

Well that's something to be pleased about.

oh look another.

The total authorised absence rate – where pupils have permission to miss school – fell to its lowest level recorded with children in all schools missing 5.21% of half-days in 2008-09, down from 5.28% in the previous year.

And I'd like to point out it is down to PARENTS to see their children attend regularly in school not any political party in particular.It is up to parents to realise that anything under 99% attendance can severely limit the GCSE grades a child might achieve.

[speedfreak]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

And I'd like to point out it is down to PARENTS to see their children attend regularly in school not any political party in particular.It is up to parents to realise that anything under 99% attendance can severely limit the GCSE grades a child might achieve.

Out of interest, what would you do if your child refused to stay in school and continually played truant?

Originally Posted by speedfreak

Out of interest, what would you do if your child refused to stay in school and continually played truant?

I would take him or her into school and stay with them in the classroom.

[Osem]

..and would you be allowed to do that Maggie? What would you do if your child refused to get out of bed?

This is a real problem. I have no sympathy for defective parents who can't be bothered to send their children to school but I have great sympathy for those who've done their very best and for whatever reason find that their children refuse to either go to or stay in school. Penalising them when they have no way of forcing their children to do the right thing seems very unfair. Perhaps if our schools did a bit more than prepare our children to sit exams and the curriculum was more interesting/relevant to their lives (especially in those areas where truancy levels are very high), more of our children would want to go to school.

[Taf]

Our kids' school has it's biggest truancy problem with muslim kids going "off on a pilgrimage" a few times a year. The older ones then get upset when their EMA money is cut....