Written question asked by Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 30 November 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 December 1999. It was answered by Baroness Morris of Yardley (Labour) on Monday, 6 December 1999 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what is the average level of unauthorised absence (a) in schools in local education authorities with three-tier school systems and (b) nationally. - Includes figures and ref to 'Tackling Truancy Together' in Library.

Answer: Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average level of unauthorised absence (a) in schools in local education authorities with three-tier school systems and (b) nationally. [101176] Ms Estelle Morris: Promoting regular school attendance is a key component in the Government's strategy to raise educational standards. Our recently published strategy document "Tackling Truancy Together" sets out our proposals to reduce days lost to education as a result of truancy. A copy has been placed in the Library. In 1998-99, 0.6 per cent. of half days were missed as a result of unauthorised absence in maintained primary and secondary schools in those local education authorities in England which operated a three-tier system. This compares with an overall national figure of 0.7 per cent. of half days missed.

Secondary information