Written question asked by John Robertson (Labour) on Thursday, 3 February 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 February 2011. It was answered by Nick Gibb (Conservative) on Monday, 14 February 2011 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Further Education: Absenteeism

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the level of unauthorised absence was in further education establishments that were (a) sixth forms and (b) colleges in each year since 2004.

Answer: [holding answer 8 February 2011]: Information on pupils with unauthorised absence is not collected for further education establishments. The Department collects information on pupil absence for pupils aged five to 15 at the start of the school year from maintained primary and secondary schools, all special schools, city technology colleges and academies.Information on absence can be found in Statistical First Release 07/2010 'Pupil Absence in Schools in England, Including Pupil Characteristics: 2008/09' at:"http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000918/index.shtml"

Secondary information