Truancy purge pays-off

OLDHAM Council’s commitment to driving down truancy is paying off thanks to the work of the School Attendance Improvement Service.

Five years ago, the Government set targets for all local authorities to improve levels of school attendance so that by 2008, absence rates would be reduced by 8 per cent compared with 2003 figures.

Nationally, absences were reduced by 10 per cent but Oldham soared ahead with a 13.5 per cent cut.

Councillor Kay Knox, Cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved for their hard work and devotion to increasing attendance.

“We have to continue to improve educational and skills levels in Oldham in order for our young people to compete for jobs.

“That is why school attendance has to remain a high priority for the council.

“Strategies employed to increase attendance levels over this period have included truancy sweeps and a borough-wide attendance reward scheme.