Secondary School attendance up on last year

Data released this week shows that the attendance of pupils at Rochdale Schools in the first two terms of last year has improved in Secondary Schools compared to the previous school year 05/06. Overall absence has reduced from 8.63% to 8.34% for Autumn and Spring.

However, attendance has declined slightly in the Primary Schools with absence increasing from 6.03% to 6.51%.

These figures are not a complete comparison as they compare a whole year's data against two terms. The final statistical release in February 2008 will give a comprehensive picture of Rochdale's performance.

The Authority uses legal sanctions such as Penalty Notices to improve school attendance. In the autumn term last year twelve parents were prosecuted for failing to pay Penalty Notices and nine parents were prosecuted at court and received a variety of sanctions from fines to Parenting Orders.

The Education Welfare Service and schools will be continuing to use these sanctions in this school year.

The Attendance and Safeguarding Team Leader, Sue Dearden, said: "We are determined to improve attendance in Rochdale.  Schools are challenging parents much more often now to improve their child's attendance and the Local Authority will issue Penalty Notices and prosecute parents where necessary.

"Rochdale schools are doing well in improving attainment and good attendance is a vital factor in raising standards.  Indicative figures show the percentage of children achieving five A - C passes at  GCSE has risen from 50.1% in 2006 to 55.6% in 2007. I am sure that improved attendance in secondary schools has contributed to this."

Date article online: 13/09/2007