Local MP Caroline Dinenage has welcomed the news that the number of pupils persistently skipping school in Hampshire has fallen by over 25 per cent since 2010. In 2009/10 9,510 pupils were persistently absent from school, but this has fallen sharply to 7,111 in 2012/13.
Caroline said:
"The evidence shows that persistent absence for school has a seriously detrimental effect on pupils' performance. Those that skip school end up playing a constant game of catch up – a game most of those children sadly end up losing. It is therefore great news that, thanks to this Government's actions, truancy has dramatically reduced across Hampshire.
This Government is reintroducing rigour into our schools, ensuring high standards of discipline are maintained, and our EBacc means that more young people are studying for the key academic subjects that will help them get on in life."
Education Secretary Michael Gove said:
"There is no excuse for skipping school. We have taken action to reduce absence by increasing fines and encouraging schools to address the problem earlier.
These figures show we are making progress, with 130,000 fewer pupils regularly missing school under this government.
Alongside our measures to give teachers powers to search pupils and impose same-day detentions, this demonstrates our determination to get tough on bad behaviour."