Comments on our performance in 2006-07

One of the reasons for the increase in the average total half days missed in Secondary schools is a change of collection of the data from FORVUS computer system to the school census system. Previously schools were asked to provide aggregate school level figures on an annual basis, whereas, the figures are now aggregated directly from individual pupil level information, collected on a termly basis, this provides a more precise basis for aggregation of overall absence.
During the autumn term 2005 the Authority suffered a significant amount of sickness of epidemic proportions which was reported to the DfES. The autumn term figures for 2006 are showing a significant improvement on last years annual return with an average total absence of 7.26%.