SCHOOLchildren in Lancashire have taken less unauthorised absences compared to last year, new figures have revealed.

Statistics from the Department for Children, Schools and Families have shown primary and secondary school children in the area have had 159 fewer unauthorised half days in 2007 to 2008 compared with the previous year..

And head teacher Mike Tull for Marsden Heights Community College says the success is down to the hard work of each school and Lancashire County Council.

Only 1,097 out of 144,320 pupils have played truant or taken time off without the school’s permission in 2007/2008.

And Lancashire County Council is below both the national and North West averages for overall absence levels in schools and those who constantly take time off without the schools permission.

A total of 1,301 less pupils were persistently off without consent in 2007/2008 Mr Tull said: “I think schools are doing a good job on their own and that is feeding into the authority’s success.

“We employ a specialist team who contact parents. We also have a voice connect system which when activated will text, email or leave a voice message for parents.

"Pupil attendance is a high priority and we are working hard to reinforce that to pupils and their parents.”

Lancashire County Councillor Vali Patel, cabinet member for schools, said: “I am very pleased to see that once again the absenteeism figures for schools in Lancashire are below the average for both England and the North West region.

“Persistent absenteeism in secondary schools has fallen by over a full percentage point compared with last year.

“Lancashire's absence rates for primary schools have increased fractionally on last year's figure, but this reflects the national trend.

“However, we are not complacent and will continue our efforts to further reduce absences and we will work closely with schools to help every child enjoy their right to an education.”