School attendance in Essex is at its highest for more than a decade, according to statistics published today.
The Department for Education’s latest data shows the percentage of sessions missed in state-funded schools in Essex fell to 4.4 per cent in the 2014/15 academic year – down slightly from 4.5 per cent in 2013/14 and at its lowest for more than ten years.
The figure, which includes primary, secondary and special schools, is better than both the East of England and national averages.
The continued improvements come following close work between Essex County Council’s Missing Education and Child Employment Service (previously known as the Education Welfare Service) and the county’s schools.
Cllr Ray Gooding, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “There are clear links between attendance and attainment, and we are committed to ensuring all pupils achieve their full potential.
“We work very closely with Essex’s schools and I am pleased they have achieved the highest rates of school attendance for more than a decade.
“Where a pupil is failing to attend school on a regular basis, schools work with families to try to resolve any issues that may be preventing attendance. If problems are not resolved, schools may make a referral to the Missing Education and Child Employment Service, which is responsible for enforcement processes.
“Every lesson really does count and we will continue to take the action needed to protect the education of the county’s pupils.”
