ANOTHER day of action aimed at reducing children truanting from schools in Chard and the surrounding area has been hailed a success.

Officers from Somerset County Council took part last Wednesday in truancy sweeps in the town and local villages along with Avon and Somerset Police.

Where students were not in school, they were stopped in the street and even visited at home to find out why.

A total of 15 home visits were made to students absent that day without a reason.

Three youngsters were immediately escorted into school, four went into school later that day and eight were not at home and not found.

Each of the students involved will now have their attendance tracked for the rest of the academic year by their respective schools.

The county council's education portfolio holder, Cllr Gloria Cawood, said: "The truancy sweeps are just one way in which Somerset County Council works to increase school attendance and therefore educational achievement.

"We link with Somerset's schools to ensure that children attend school and are able to address any problems which may discourage a child from attending, such as bullying.

"Our officers also work closely with families of pupils that are not attending school to try to resolve any problems.

"Truancy reduces the chances of pupils achieving the educational standards that they are capable of and so potentially robs them of future opportunities.

"I am pleased we are working closely with the police to ensure students attend school."

A total of 11 students were found in Chard at lunchtime without official passes and were returned to school, while only two youngsters were found to be in the town with valid passes.

This was the latest in the long run of truancy days which have been backed by local school head teachers including Maurice Hicks, of Holyrood.