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Town’s shock new truancy figures
Danielle Robinson26/ 3/2008
PARENTS beware – Macclesfield schoolchildren are among the worst in Cheshire for skipping school and could be on the road to a life of crime.
Shocking new statistics reveal the borough has the second highest level of truancy in the county, with the town’s kids only faring better than Chester but considered poor compared to neighbouring districts.
And with a watchdog warning that serial truants are more likely to become involved in illegal activity, it’s bad news for the borough.
The recent figures, published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (Dfes), have revealed that the unauthorised absence rate for all Macclesfield schools including primary, secondary and special, is 0.96 percent – far worse than the Cheshire average of 0.76pc.
And just 0.04 pc below the average national number.
Out of six areas in Cheshire, with the exception of Warrington which was analysed separately, only Chester fared worse with a rate of 1.04 pc.
In a bid to tackle the problem, Tytherington High School and Specialist Science College and Macclesfield High School have a system, Truancy Call, in place.
It allows school staff to make contact with parents of absentees with text messaging, email and voice calling to obtain a direct response from the parent without the need to invest in new telephone systems, additional phone lines or a new computer.
Tytherington headteacher Andy Robinson said: "We have had the system for around four years and we have seen a significant improvement, thanks to Truancy Call and other measures.
"The Macclesfield and Bollington Education Partnership is looking to have a consistent approach to attendance across the towns, both in secondary and primary schools, and we are working on that at the moment."
He added: "It is up to parents and carers to ensure that their child goes to school and that they get into good habits.
"The absolute minimum attendance is 95 pc and if anyone falls below that then it has to be pursued.
"The majority of parents and carers are very good, but there are some where action needs to be taken, such as the court process."
Managing Director of Truancy Call, Stephen Clarke said: "Statistics show that people who are regular absentees are more likely to become involved in a live of crime."
He added: "I think one of the main issues is whether schools have a system of first call contact.
"This can help improve the school’s attendance, but most importantly if a child has left home and not arrived at school, the parents know within hours.
"It also raises the profile of what children are missing out on if they do not attend school and it picks up early on those who skip school before they become persistent offenders."
Sgt Russ Thomas of Macclesfield Neighbourhood Policing Unit said: "Truancy is not a huge issue for us. At present a bigger problem for us is parents letting their kids out of a weekend and those children causing trouble under the influence of drink."
For more information on Truancy Call, ring 0870 046 4246, email sales@truancycall.com, or visit the website at www.truancycall.com.
Most recent 2 of 8 user comments
Your dishonesty is staggering.
2/04/2008 at 00:38
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