§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of truancy rates at grant-maintained schools relative to those at other schools. [3888]
§ Mr. ForthRates of unauthorised absence at different categories of schools in the 1994–95 school year are set out in the following table. As in previous years, rates of unauthorised absence were significantly lower at grant-maintained schools. Data for the 1995–96 school year will be published shortly.
Unauthorised absence by type of school in England in the 1994–95 school year Type of school Percentage of half days missed Average number of half days missed per absent pupil Maintained primary schools1 County and voluntary controlled 0.5 11 Voluntary aided and special agreement 0.4 10 Grant-maintained 0.3 8 Average for maintained primary schools 0.5 10 Maintained secondary schools2 County and voluntary controlled 1.2 22 Voluntary aided and special agreement 0.8 21 Grant-maintained 0.5 17 Average for maintained secondary schools 1.0 22 Special Schools 2.5 27 CTCs 0.2 8 Independent schools 0.1 8 England average 0.7 15 Notes: 1Includes middle deemed primary schools 2Includes middle deemed secondary schools Source:
DfEE National Pupil Absence Tables 1995.