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One in 19 children bunk off regularly
ONE in every 19 school children in Bedford Borough take more than 15 per cent of the school year off, figures revealed this week.
According to a report which will be discussed by the council’s children’s services overview and scrutiny committee on Monday this figure is higher than what is expected by central government.
The report also found that permanent exclusion rates in schools are now four times higher than at last count, and 0.5 per cent higher than government guidelines.
But there was some good new in the report. The figures for unauthorised and authorised absences in schools are improving.
And this week Councillor Jane Walker, who chairs the Bedford Borough Council committee claimed that there were areas to work on in children’s services and that further reports are due later in the year.
She said: “The council’s children’s services committee is aware of the increase in persistent school absences and we have asked for a report on this issue.
“Of particular interest is the role of education welfare officers and how they are currently being used to deter pupils from missing school.
“It could be the case that there is a link between absences and the rise in permanent exclusions which the committee will also be receiving more information on later in the year.”
As well as children’s schooling in the borough the report also gave figures relating to looked-after children in care and those awaiting adoption.
The report found that while 100 per cent of children needing adoption were placed within the correct time scale, an improvement on last year’s figures, the number of children in care has increased.
Councillor Walker said: “The increase in the amount of looked-after children in the past year may have been caused by a variety of factors which could be linked to the economic climate and the hardship which many families are having to endure.
“It is essential that the council does everything it can to protect vulnerable children whilst also being mindful of the rights of parents and guardians.
“It is therefore important that we monitor the threshold for intervention to make sure it is at the appropriate level to keep children safe.”
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Weather for Bedford
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
