TRUANCY is falling in the East End, proving the measures being used to ensure pupils are in the classroom during school hours are effective, Tower Hamlets council says. Government figures show Tower Hamlets secondary school attendance for the school year

TRUANCY is falling in the East End, proving the measures being used to ensure pupils are in the classroom during school hours are effective, Tower Hamlets council says.

Government figures show Tower Hamlets secondary school attendance for the school year 2008-09 at a record high of 93 per cent, and that the number of secondary pupils with persistent absence fell to 4.4 per cent. Both figures were better than the England, London and Inner London averages.

The council's Attendance and Welfare Service has a team of specialist advisors, like Amina Mustafa, who work alongside schools, parents, carers and other community partners.

The council uses truancy patrols and school visits to talk to pupils to try and improve attendance as well as helping schools and families identify and overcome difficulties which prevent pupils from attending school regularly.