High truancy rates

Truancy in secondary schools in Rochdale Borough is higher than the average across England.

Figures for the autumn term, 2009, show 1.76 per cent of all classes were missed due to unauthorised absence, worse than the average across England - a 1.22 per cent unauthorised absence rate.

In addition the figures from the Department for Education show 690 pupils were classed as “persistent absentees” taking off more than 14 days, nearly three weeks in a 14-week term.

Included in the number are 90 who missed a staggering 32 days of school in the short period.