Written question asked by Mark Hoban (Conservative) on Monday, 17 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 25 May 2004. It was answered by Ivan Lewis (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 May 2004 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what guidelines he has issued to (a) schools and (b) local education authorities about levels of (i) authorised and (ii) unauthorised absence. - Inc figures. (Holding answer 20 May 2004).

Answer: Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidelines he has issued to (a) schools and (b) local education authorities about levels of (i) authorised and (ii) unauthorised absence. [174717] Mr. Ivan Lewis :[holding reply 20 May 2004]: In December 2001, the Department asked all schools with above average levels of unauthorised absence to set themselves targets to reduce the level of unauthorised absence by the end of this school year. In February 2003, I wrote to all local education authorities reminding them of the importance that the Government attaches to improving the levels of school attendance and urging them to work with their schools in reducing both authorised and unauthorised absences. Also in 2003, we provided 56 local education authorities with expert advisers to help them work with schools to improve attendance levels, in particular, to reduce unauthorised absence to a level closer to that of authorities in similar circumstances. The Department also advises authorities and schools on appropriate levels of absence through analysis of targets set, for example, in Education Development Plans, under the Behaviour Improvement Programme or as part of Local Public Service Agreements.

Secondary information