TRUANCY in England’s schools rose to record levels last year, official statistics showed yesterday.
Pupils missed 1.05% of school sessions due to “unauthorised absence” in 2008-09 – a 4% rise from 1.01% in 2007-08, according to figures published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).
This was a 44% rise on 1996-97, when the truancy rate was 0.73%.
The statistics show a jump in truancy rates in primary schools, with pupils missing 0.64% of all half days, a 12% increase on the previous year, when the figure stood at 0.57%.
Unauthorised absence in state secondary schools remained static at 1.49%.
It means that around 67,000 pupils of all ages skipped school sessions without permission on a typical day through truancy, family holidays, illness and other reasons, an analysis of the statistics suggests.
“Authorised absence” rates dropped to 5.21% in 2008/09, down from 5.28% in 2007/08.
The statistics will raise fresh concerns that parents are taking pupils out of school during term time to take advantage of cheap holiday deals.
Over the two terms, absence for family holidays accounted for 8% of absent half days – absences which were approved by the school.
