PUPILS missed more than one million days of school across Southampton and Hampshire in just two terms, new figures have revealed.

According to Department for Education statistics 161,000 were lost in Southampton and 856,000 were lost in Hampshire in the Autumn term for 2017 and Spring term this year.

Across the two authorities 14% of state secondary pupils were classed as persistently absent in the autumn 2017 and spring 2018 terms, meaning they missed at least one in ten classes.

On average pupils, including primaries, missed six days of school in Southampton, which equates to 5% of their teaching time. In Hampshire they missed five days, 4%.

Authorised absences, such as for illness or medical appointments, accounted for 65% of time off in Southampton. The remainder was unauthorised, including truancy and family holidays for which permission was not granted.

The Scottish Government intends to boost funding for schools by using council tax cash rather than money raised at national level The Scottish Government intends to boost funding for schools by using council tax cash rather than money raised at national level

Meanwhile in Hampshire authorised absences accounted for 82% of time off.

Across England, 14% of students in state secondary schools and 10% in primary were persistently absent.

Nansi Ellis, assistant general secretary at the NEU, said: "Pupil absence is a serious issue but not necessarily one for which there is an easy or quick solution.

"Teachers understand that the curriculum plays a major role in engaging young people and reducing disruptive behaviour. The exam factory culture in our schools however is a significant contributing cause of children and young people’s mental health problems and disengagement in school life.

"We need a curriculum that gives every child the education they deserve and makes education the fulfilling joyous experience it should be."

A DfE spokesman said: “No child should be taken out of school without good reason – children only get one chance at an education and evidence shows that every extra day of school missed can affect a pupil’s chances of achieving good GCSEs.

"While the number of absences has risen slightly, they are still far below the rate seen in schools ten years ago.

"The rules on term-time absences are clear and we have put schools back in control by supporting them – and local authorities – to use their powers to deal with unauthorised absence."

Local councils can impose fines of £60 on parents who fail to ensure their children's attendance at school, rising to £120 if not paid within 21 days.