§ Mr. Damian GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the(a) number and (b) percentage of half days missed each year was in (i) maintained primary schools, (ii) maintained secondary schools and (iii) all maintained schools in each year since 1997. [38807]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisThe information is as follows:
Half days missed (authorised and unauthorised absence) in maintained schools in England 1997–2001 Academic years Number of half days missed (thousand) Percentage of half days missed Primary schools 1996–97 66,839.5 6.1 1997–98 66,912.6 6.2 1998–99 66,501.5 5.9 1999–2000 62,926.5 5.7 2000–01 67,094.9 6.1 Secondary schools 1996–97 75,934.5 9.1 1997–98 74,902.7 9.0 1998–99 77,722.3 8.9 1999–2000 75,701.5 8.6 2000–01 79,906.9 9.0 Primary and secondary schools 1996–97 142,774.0 7.4 1997–98 141,815.4 7.4 1998–99 144,223.8 7.2 1999–2000 138,628.1 7.0 2000–01 147,001.9 7.4 Notes:
Figures are based on maintained mainstream schools and exclude maintained special schools and City Technology colleges. Information is collected for the period from the start of the school year in September to the mid-term break in May.
In the second round of Education Development Plans (EDPs), local education authorities were asked to set targets for the percentage of half days missed each year. The targets have now been submitted and are currently being assessed.