ALMOST one in three primary school absences in a single month in Inverclyde were for a family term-time holiday, a report has revealed.

Council bosses have admitted that the practice of taking family holidays during term time is on the rise and “can be a stubborn practice to change”.

A report set to go before councillors next week outlines plans for improving pupils’ attendance at school over the next three years.

The report reveals that 32 per cent of primary school absences in the area in June of this year were for a ‘parental holiday’.

That compares to absence rates of 23 per cent for the same reason in September 2023, 22 per cent in October, 21 per cent in May and 20 per cent in April.

Secondary school absences for parental holidays also peaked in June, at a figure of 20 per cent, with the second highest figure for secondary pupils during the school year being 13 per cent last October.

The report states: “There is an increase in the percentage of families taking a term time holiday, particularly over the last three months of the school year from April through to June.

“This is being driven by the cost-of-living crisis and the significant difference between travel costs during term time and school holiday periods.

“Although reminders are sent to parents, this can be a stubborn practice to change.”

The report also reveals that truancy or 'unexplained absence' among secondary school pupils during 2023-24 peaked at 22 per cent in December while primary school absence for the same reason was at its highest in the same month at 5 per cent.

Michael Roach, the council’s head of education, says in the report: “There is a clear need to continue to develop a system-wide and partnership approach to improving both the attendance of pupils at our educational establishments (ELC, primary, secondary and ASN) as well as their engagement in their learning once there.

“This is a national issue, with the decline in attendance in educational settings beginning pre-pandemic in 2017.

“The pandemic has clearly affected the social contract between establishments and families and has exacerbated historic issues and challenges families have been experiencing.

“We are committed to seeing further improvement and building on what is clearly working for some of our establishments.

“We are also committed to working in partnership beyond education to ensure that the support that is required is in place and having an impact.”

The report will be considered by members of the council’s education and communities committee on Tuesday, November 5.