[holding answer 20 June 2007]: The Department does not maintain records of ‘truancy’, as authorised absence rates include lateness and unauthorised holidays during term time.
Information relating to persistent absentees by size of school is given in the table. Persistent absentee pupils are absent (authorised and unauthorised) for 20 per cent. of schooling.
The first year for which information on persistent absentees is available relates to 2005/06 and covers only maintained secondary schools, city technology colleges and academies. For the 2006/07 school year this information will also be available for maintained primary schools and special schools. This is expected to be available in February 2008.
Schools by size Fewer than 1,000 pupils 1,000 to 1,500 pupils More than 1,500 pupils Total Maintained secondary schools Number of pupil enrolments that are persistent absentees3,4 91,330 97,640 26,130 215,100 Total number of pupil enrolments4 1,233,280 1,390,630 400,830 3,024,730 Percentage of pupil enrolments that are persistent absentees 7.4 7.0 6.5 7.1 City technology colleges Number of pupil enrolments that are persistent absentees3,4 x 290 10 300 Total number of pupil enrolments4 260 8,120 1,190 9,560 Percentage of pupil enrolments that are persistent absentees 1.2 3.5 0.6 3.1 Academies Number of pupil enrolments that are persistent absentees3,4 800 1,130 70 1,990 Total number of pupil enrolments4 8,510 12,150 1,380 22,040 Percentage of pupil enrolments that are persistent absentees 9.3 9.3 4.9 9.0 Total Number of pupil enrolments that are persistent absentees3,4 92,130 99,060 26,200 217,390 Total number of pupil enrolments4 1,242,040 1,410,900 403,390 3,056,330 Percentage of pupil enrolments that are persistent absentees 7.4 7.0 6.5 7.1 x = Less than five enrolments. 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. 2 Persistent absentees are defined as having more than 63 sessions of absence (authorised and unauthorised) during the year. 3 Number of pupil enrolments in schools between 1 September 2005 and 27 May 2006. Includes pupils on the school roll for at least one session who are aged between five and 15. Excludes boarders. Some pupils may be counted more than once (if they moved school during the school year or are registered at more than one school). 4 There were some 7,240 cases from maintained secondary schools; 20 cases from CTCs and 370 cases from academies for whom absence data were missing. These cases have been excluded from the total number of pupil enrolments. Note: Totals may not appear to equal the sum of component parts because numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: School Census