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School term-time absenteeism in England falls dramatically School term-time absenteeism in England falls dramatically
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The number of pupils taken out of school to go on familiy holidays dropped by almost a third in England since last year, following the government’s crackdown on term-time vacations. The number of pupils taken out of school to go on family holidays dropped by almost a third in England since last year, following the government’s crackdown on term-time vacations.
The number of school days lost to term-time holidays has been cut from 3.3m last year to 2.5m this year. Absences overall are at their lowest level since comparable records began in 2006, according to figures released on Wednesday.The number of school days lost to term-time holidays has been cut from 3.3m last year to 2.5m this year. Absences overall are at their lowest level since comparable records began in 2006, according to figures released on Wednesday.
The dramatic drop in rates of absence follows a change in the law last year, meaning that headteachers can only grant permission for term-time leave in exceptional circumstances. Prior to that headteachers had discretion to allow up to 10 days’ authorised absence from school.The dramatic drop in rates of absence follows a change in the law last year, meaning that headteachers can only grant permission for term-time leave in exceptional circumstances. Prior to that headteachers had discretion to allow up to 10 days’ authorised absence from school.
Under the new rules, if parents take their children out of school without permission it can result in hefty fines. Parents are fined £60, which is doubled if not paid within 21 days. BBC research in August revealed that the number of fines being issued had shot up by 70%.Under the new rules, if parents take their children out of school without permission it can result in hefty fines. Parents are fined £60, which is doubled if not paid within 21 days. BBC research in August revealed that the number of fines being issued had shot up by 70%.
The move prompted outcry from many parents, who argued that the rules were unfairly criminalising hardworking families for wanting to enjoy affordable holidays. Hundreds of thousands of people signed petitions against the legislation, demanding the government take action against holiday companies who raise their prices at peak times. The move prompted outcry from many parents, who argued that the rules were unfairly criminalising families for wanting to enjoy affordable holidays. Hundreds of thousands of people signed petitions against the legislation, demanding the government take action against holiday companies who raise their prices at peak times.
James and Dana Haymore from Chelmsford, Essex, who took their son Toby out of school to attend a family memorial in the US only to end up with a fine and prosecution for failing to ensure their son “regularly attended school”, attracted the support of Liberty, claiming their human rights had been infringed. Essex county council subsequently dropped the prosecution.James and Dana Haymore from Chelmsford, Essex, who took their son Toby out of school to attend a family memorial in the US only to end up with a fine and prosecution for failing to ensure their son “regularly attended school”, attracted the support of Liberty, claiming their human rights had been infringed. Essex county council subsequently dropped the prosecution.
Parents Want a Say, a parents’ campaigning organisation, is committed to overturning the changes. It said: “The cost of a family holiday during the school holidays is an expense many working families simply can’t afford. The responsibility of making decisions about our children should be put back in the hands of the parent.”Parents Want a Say, a parents’ campaigning organisation, is committed to overturning the changes. It said: “The cost of a family holiday during the school holidays is an expense many working families simply can’t afford. The responsibility of making decisions about our children should be put back in the hands of the parent.”
Government figures revealed that the overall absence rate has dropped by more than a quarter since 2009-10, from 6% to 4.4%, with 176,850 fewer pupils persistently missing school in the autumn and spring terms of the 2013-14 academic year than in 2009-10, dropping from 439,105 to 262,255. And the number of school days lost overall to absence has dropped by 10.1m days – from 45.8m to 35.7m.Government figures revealed that the overall absence rate has dropped by more than a quarter since 2009-10, from 6% to 4.4%, with 176,850 fewer pupils persistently missing school in the autumn and spring terms of the 2013-14 academic year than in 2009-10, dropping from 439,105 to 262,255. And the number of school days lost overall to absence has dropped by 10.1m days – from 45.8m to 35.7m.
Illness accounted for 61.3% of all absences and 2.7% of possible sessions missed; family holidays, meanwhile, accounted for 6.9% of all absences.Illness accounted for 61.3% of all absences and 2.7% of possible sessions missed; family holidays, meanwhile, accounted for 6.9% of all absences.
Education minister Nick Gibb said: “Our plan for education is getting more young people than ever before back in class, helping thousands more to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.Education minister Nick Gibb said: “Our plan for education is getting more young people than ever before back in class, helping thousands more to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.
“Missing lessons can be hugely damaging to a pupil’s education – but today’s figures show more pupils than ever before are getting the best preparation for life in modern Britain.“Missing lessons can be hugely damaging to a pupil’s education – but today’s figures show more pupils than ever before are getting the best preparation for life in modern Britain.
“The figures also reveal that teachers can be increasingly confident in the behaviour and commitment of their pupils in lessons. Our plan for school attendance and classroom behaviour is designed to give pupils the best start to life and teachers the best possible environment in which to teach.”“The figures also reveal that teachers can be increasingly confident in the behaviour and commitment of their pupils in lessons. Our plan for school attendance and classroom behaviour is designed to give pupils the best start to life and teachers the best possible environment in which to teach.”
Dr Mary Bousted, the general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), welcomed the fall in pupil absence levels, but raised concerns about the disproportionate rate of absence among children with special educational needs (SEN), among whom the overall absence rate is 6.6% compared with 4% for those with no identified SEN.Dr Mary Bousted, the general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), welcomed the fall in pupil absence levels, but raised concerns about the disproportionate rate of absence among children with special educational needs (SEN), among whom the overall absence rate is 6.6% compared with 4% for those with no identified SEN.
“ATL is pleased to see that pupil absence levels continue to fall, reflecting the hard work of schools in engaging with parents and pupils, and tackling the causes of pupil absence. We know that pupil absence can have a huge impact on the education outcomes and life chances of young people so it’s vital that effective interventions are supported.“ATL is pleased to see that pupil absence levels continue to fall, reflecting the hard work of schools in engaging with parents and pupils, and tackling the causes of pupil absence. We know that pupil absence can have a huge impact on the education outcomes and life chances of young people so it’s vital that effective interventions are supported.
“Against the background of SEN reforms, the disproportionate rate of absence of pupils with SEN makes for sobering reading. Schools will need to continue to develop their SEN expertise and have access to local services in order to tackle the challenge of reducing the damaging absence rates of these children and young people.““Against the background of SEN reforms, the disproportionate rate of absence of pupils with SEN makes for sobering reading. Schools will need to continue to develop their SEN expertise and have access to local services in order to tackle the challenge of reducing the damaging absence rates of these children and young people.“