Schools should not be penalised for being open (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Schools should not be penalised for being open

January 13, 2010 12:00 AM

Today Cllr Richard Harker, Liberal Democrat Member for Moortown Ward and Executive Member for Learning is calling for changes to the rules on school attendance.

Absence records for Leeds' schools are set to be much higher due to the recent extreme weather. The schools that made the effort to stay open will have had to record absence as normal whereas those schools that closed will not have to record absence.

Despite the heroic efforts of teachers and pupils they will be penalised unnecessarily when annual school absence records are released. Compared to other authorities Leeds' schools responded well to the snow and icy conditions to cater for pupils who could make it into school or who were not kept home by parents.

Cllr Richard Harker has written to the Rt Hon Ed Balls, MP,Secretary of State for Children, Young People and Families and the eight Leeds MP's in order to prevent increased school absence records due to our recent bout of extreme weather.

Cllr Harker said:

"During the recent heavy snow and freezing conditions Leeds' schools have done an incredible job of staying open.

"A comparison between Leeds and our neighbours shows what a magnificent job our teachers did in such treacherous conditions. By staying open we were able to provide a place of safety, hot meals, a warm environment, and an education for thousands of children.

"Unfortunately had they closed their attendance records would not have been put at risk because absences would not have had to be recorded. Registers would just show that the schools were closed. Because they opened then the registers will have to show as absent the children who were kept at home by parents.

"I am sure that the people of Leeds will agree with me that it is unfair for schools to be penalised for opening.

"I am sure that the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families can change the rules so schools can code the days when we were experiencing extreme weather conditions and so remove these days from the schools overall attendance figures.

"Why should schools that struggled to stay open be penalised when those that just close retain a clean attendance record?"