Although truancy patterns have changed little over the past 100 years, there is increasing concern about poor school attendance in areas of high unemployment and social disadvantage. A copy is enclosed. Its author, Dr. Sue Hallam, is a lecturer and researcher in Psychology and Special Needs at the Institute of Education. Dr. Hallam recently wrote, with Caroline Roaf, special needs co-ordinator for an Oxfordshire school, a booklet designed to help schools promote attendance. Children with higher than average absence at primary school are more likely to be poor attenders at secondary school.
Absence increases as pupils transfer from primary to secondary school.
Absence increases through secondary school, particularly in years 10 and 11. Overall, girls are absent more than boys although there is little difference in unauthorised absence. Absence increases with interruptions to routine. Absence is not consistent throughout the school year. Absence is higher in inner cities.