Parents told: 'Do your bit to tackle class disruption'

PARENTS have been told to do more to ensure their children turn up to school and behave, as shocking data shows seven out of every 30 classroom minutes are lost to pupils being disruptive.

- By Jonathan Walker WHITEHALL EDITOR

With the new school year beginning this week, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced a drive to cut truancy and improve discipline, with the 500 most troubled schools targeted for help.

But she said: “When it comes to getting kids in and behaving, this includes mums, dads and carers too.”

Figures this month revealed the crisis of children missing from England’s classrooms is continuing, after absence figures shot up following the pandemic.