Truancy figures better than national average (From Witney Gazette)

Truancy figures better than national average

9:00am Wednesday 27th September 2006 in Witney By Emma-Kate Lidbury

OXFORDSHIRE'S pupils are bucking the national trend when it comes to truancy, with figures falling for the third year running.

Nationally, the number of pupils skipping school has risen, with the unauthorised absence figure for all schools in England rising from 0.78 per cent, in the 2004/05 school year, to 0.79 per cent, in 2005/06.

But in Oxfordshire, the unauthorised absence rate for both primary and secondary schools has fallen from 0.64 per cent, in 2004/05, to 0.58 per cent, in 2005/06.

These figures relate to the percentage of half-days missed by pupils.

A 100 per cent attendance would mean no pupils bunked off any half-days.

Barry Armstrong, Oxfordshire County Council's attendance officer, said he was 'heartened' by the continued reduction in truancy levels.

He said: "Our figures are better than the national average, and we have one of the lowest levels of truancy in the South East region. But we cannot afford to be complacent.

"We have much work to do to impress on parents the importance of ensuring their children attend every lesson possible. The links between a child's level of attendance and their attainment in school are very clear - high absence correlates with poor achievement."

Mr Armstrong said the improvement in the county's truancy figures could be attributed to a range of measures, from the threat of court action and fixed penalty notices for parents whose children continually miss school, through to providing a 'creative and flexible' curriculum. which is more engaging for children.

He added: "The improvements reported in Oxfordshire are an indication of the continued efforts being made by our schools and all agencies working together."