County plans more truancy patrols

Parents will be offered advice, support and guidance

A campaign is under way to improve school attendance in Northamptonshire with extra patrols looking for truants.

The county council is targeting pupils, parents and carers to inform them about the consequences of skipping school.

Persistent absence can mean children missing out on education and as they are away from a safe environment their security is at risk, a spokesman said.

"Parents also run the risk of being prosecuted for failing to get their child to attend school," he said.

The campaign is called Every Lesson Counts and will run over two weeks.

Truancy sweeps will take place across the county, late gates will be enforced at schools and lessons will be geared around the importance of school attendance.

Term time holidays

Cabinet member for children and young people Joan Kirkbride said: "Regular school attendance is an important part of giving children the best possible start in life.

"Its not only academic work that is affected by missing school.

"Missing out on the social side, especially at primary school, can affect children's ability to make and keep their friendships, a vital part of growing up.

"This campaign aims to spell out the long-term effects of regularly missing lessons which include reduced employment opportunities and becoming involved in anti-social behaviour."

Truancy teams recognise there may be good reasons for school absences.

Some parents may have mental health or drug abuse problems or may be incapable of making a child attend.

Other reasons include taking family holidays during term time when it is cheaper or parents who are disillusioned with the education system.