Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Thousands of primary school pupils missed lessons without permission each day of the spring term this year, official figures show.
The Department for Education says 0.7% of school sessions were missed by primary age children, up from 0.6% for the same term in 2011 due to "unauthorised absence".
Overall, almost 23,400 youngsters in England's primary schools skipped classes on a typical day during the spring term this year through truancy, family holidays, illness and other reasons, an analysis of the figures suggests.
Across all state primary and secondary schools, 1% of half-days during the spring term were missed due to unauthorised absence, the same as in 2011. This is equivalent to around 61,600 youngsters missing classes without permission on a typical day.
In state secondary schools, the unauthorised absence rate is static, with 1.4% of half-days missed, equivalent to almost 39,500 pupils skipping lessons on a typical day.
The most common reason for absence is illness, followed by family holidays.
Illness accounts for 63% of all absences, with family holidays accounting for 7%.
The Government is "determined to tackle absence before it causes long-term disadvantage", Schools Minister Nick Gibb said.
"Poor attendance at school can have a hugely damaging effect on a child's education. Children who attend school regularly are four times more likely to achieve five or more good GCSEs, including English and Maths, than those who are persistently absent."
The Government is toughening the rules on absence to make it clear that schools should only give permission for term-time holidays in exceptional circumstances, Mr Gibb said.
Ofsted is also now setting specific targets for boosting attendance in schools which have problems with absence.
From this September headteachers will be able to issue a £60 fine, up from a previous maximum of £50, if they believe a parent is allowing their child to miss too much school without a valid reason.
If the parent or carer fails to pay within 28 days, the fine will double to £120, to be paid within 42 days.
The overall absence rate, both authorised and unauthorised combined, for the spring term is 5.3%, down from 5.4% for the same time last year.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments