More schools join truancy clampdown

Under the second phase of the government’s behaviour
improvement programme 27 more local education authorities are to
receive £1.4 million each this financial year  to improve
pupils’ behaviour and attendance at school.

Last year 34 LEAs with the highest levels of crime and truancy
shared £50 million to target selected schools. By 2005 a total
of £342 million will have been spent on the programme.

Participating LEAs and schools have committed themselves to
improving standards of behaviour overall, reducing truancy,
reducing exclusions to a lower level than in comparable schools,
and making sure there is a named, key worker for every child at
risk of truancy, exclusion or criminal behaviour.

They must also ensure that full-time, supervised education is
provided for all pupils excluded either permanently or temporarily
from day one.