Term-time hols shock

REGION ABOVE AVERAGE FOR UNAUTHORISED ABSCENCES

THE North East has some of the highest figures in England for schoolchildren being taken out of class without permission during term time for holidays.

With two sessions of school each day – morning and afternoon – in this region, the number of absences was equivalent to 1.5 school sessions for every pupil during 2015-16.

For many parts of the rest of the country the number was around 1.0. Term time holidays accounted for an average of 27% of all missed sessions of school across England.

In North Tyneside, the figure was 45%, according to analysis of Department for Education figures, with only those for Warrington and East Riding (both 48%) being higher.

However, the council appeared to dispute the figure when we contacted it for a response. In a statement, Angela James, chief adviser at the authority’s school improvement service, said: “Our overall rate of attendance is 95.9% for primary and secondary schools in North Tyneside, which is above the national average. Unauthorised absence in North Tyneside is below national and regional comparators, and 38% of the unauthorised absence is the result of term time holidays.

“Our main concern is to ensure that parents understand the importance of regular attendance.”

Across the UK, around a million pupils missed at least one day of school in England, despite the threat of fines. At the weekend, we reported how parents in the North East paid a record number of fines – forking out almost £100,000.