§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils missed, through unauthorised absence,(a) one half-day session, (b) between two and five half-day sessions, (c) between 639W six and 10 half-day sessions, (d) between 11 and 15 half-day sessions, (e) between 16 and 20 half-day sessions and (f) over 20 half-day sessions in each year since 1997. [147145]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisThe information requested is not available. The Pupil Absence Return requires schools to provide only the number of pupils with at least one unauthorised absence. From the data collected, it is possible to calculate the average number of half-days missed per absent pupil due to unauthorised absence and the figures since 1997 are shown as follows:
Academic year Average number of half-days missed per absent pupil due to unauthorised absence
1997/98 15 1998/99 14 1999/2000 13 2000/01 13 2001/02 13 2002/03 12 Note:
Figures are for maintained primary and secondary schools combined.