Rochdale schools - absence rates increase

Date article online: 25/09/2006

Figures released by the Department for Education and Skills show overall absence in Rochdale (authorised and unauthorised absence figures from primary and secondary schools combined) has gone up by 2.9% for last year. However, unauthorised absence ('truancy') rates in Rochdale primary schools fell by 7%, in contrast to the national trend of a 7% increase. In secondary schools, overall rates of attendance remained steady, compared to a national fall in sessions attended of 1.4%.

Lead Member for Children, Schools amp; Families, Councillor David Clayton said: "The reduction in unauthorised absence in the borough's primary schools is very good news.

"We know that there are strong links between attendance, attainment and good prospects, so there is much more work ahead to improve on these figures in this school year."

Janet Vinter, team leader of Rochdale's Education Welfare Service believes that much of this increase is linked to unusually high levels of illness, particularly amongst primary age pupils in some parts of the area during the early part of the spring term, and to term time holidays. She said: "The data on school absence begins to emerge from individual schools in May, so we were able to put together an 'Attendance Raising' campaign well before the national data was available. This involved us working with schools to identify around 100 pupils with serious attendance problems. We used fast track procedures with some and issued penalty notices to others and although this campaign is still in progress, early findings are indicating good progress.

"Parents who allow their children to take time off school without valid reasons or for example, take them on holidays in term time, need to know that they may well be next in line for a similarly sharp approach."

Councillor Clayton added: "All schools have challenging targets to meet for attendance and work very hard towards them. The Education Welfare Service will do all that it can to support their hard work so that all of Rochdale's children have the opportunity to achieve their potential."