Devon in top 10 per cent of councils for cutting truancy

Devon has some of the lowest figures in the country for the amount of children who are persistently absent from school.

New Government figures show that Devon County Council is in the top 10 per cent of local authorities for its low absence.

Of 150 local councils responsible for education in England, only 13 have better figures than Devon.

The amount of children who miss 15 per cent or more of school time stands at 2.9 per cent in Devon.

In the South West and in England overall, the figure is 3.7 per cent.

Devon County Council has also improved its record on overall attendance according to the Government’s figures for the 2014/15 school year.

Devon primary, secondary and special schools had an overall absence rate of 4.4 per cent.

That’s lower then the national figure of 4.6 per cent and of neighbouring authorities in the South West where the average is 4.7 per cent.

Only 28 of 150 local councils had better figures than Devon in 2014/15. Just two years ago there were 62 authorities with better figures than Devon.

Devon County Council’s Cabinet member for schools, James McInnes, said: “We have been working very hard with schools to ensure as many children are in lessons and learning as possible.

“We have had national interest in our innovative programme to spot which children are missing from school as early as possible and put measures in place to secure their attendance.

“Our schools have also been working hard to ensure that they have a broad curriculum designed to engage as many children as possible providing a wide range of vocational opportunities as well as academic work.

“It is a cliché, but it’s still true. If children aren’t in school, they can’t learn and we are determined to ensure that as many of our Devon children have the opportunity that a good education provides to make the most of their individual talents and live as fulfilling lives as possible.”