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Engaging young people to stay in school
11/12/2008
Keeping even more of our young people engaged and involved in school is the focus for Schools Minister Maureen Watt, as new statistics on school attendance show that rates remain unchanged at just over 93 per cent.
The attendance and absence statistics for 2007-08 show that the overall attendance rate was largely unchanged at 93.2 per cent, compared with 93.3 per cent in 2006-07. Eighty one per cent of pupils had an attendance rate of 90 per cent or above, while five per cent did not have any days off school.
Ms Watt said:
"We want all young people in Scotland to enjoy their education and be included and involved in school life. Pupils who are missing from the classroom are also missing the chance to learn and develop, which can impact on their opportunities later in life.
"These statistics show that the majority of pupils - over 93 per cent - are attending school regularly, however we can do even more to engage our young people and ensure that they receive the maximum benefit from their school education."
One school that has seen improvements within an area of social deprivation is Gracemount High School in Edinburgh. On a visit to the school today Ms Watt had the opportunity to see innovative initiatives to keep pupils engaged with their learning.
Gracemount High School is making education more relevant for pupils by incorporating their interests into the curriculum, such as the school dance group, where some individual pupils have improved their attendance by as much as 30 per cent. The school also provides sustained work placements and vocational training opportunities for pupils throughout S4.
Ms Watt said:
"Visiting Gracemount High today I've had the chance to see Curriculum for Excellence in action, with pupils given the chance to learn through a broad range of approaches, including the JET work experience programme.
"By providing innovative, engaging learning opportunities, young people can be prevented from dis-engaging with school. As a Government we are committed to taking an early intervention approach to give children and their families support and give our young people the best start in life through their school education."
Jim Cassidy, Headteacher at Gracemount High School, said:
"Gracemount High School aims to provide pupils with an educational experience that respects and meets their needs and prepares them for the destination of their choice when they leave school. That destination could be University, training or the world of work.
"By matching the learning experience to their future needs young people are more engaged in school and we are giving them the best opportunity to be successful when they leave school."
The statistics show that the rate of attendance for primary schools was 95.1 per cent (95.3 per cent in 2006-07). The rate for secondary schools was 90.9 per cent (90.6 per cent in 2006-07). The rate for special schools was 91.2 per cent (91.2 per cent in 2006-07). On average, each day there were around 45,000 pupils absent (seven per cent), of which about 660 (0.1 per cent) were temporarily excluded. Various factors such as deprivation, having additional support needs and being looked after by the local authority increase the likelihood that a pupil will be absent.
Last year the Scottish Government published new guidance on attendance and absence, Included, Engaged and Involved. The guidance stresses the need to promote attendance, reduce absence, and make stronger links between absence and the protection of children.
The JET programme offers sustained work placement and vocational training for S4 pupils (throughout the year) supported by South Edinburgh Partnership, Capital Skills Partnership and Careers Scotland.