Parents who allow children to stay off school for spurious reasons are being targeted in a new crackdown on truancy in Telford.

The action will include “truancy sweeps” around town to catch youngsters skipping off lessons, and checks on school gates to round up late arrivals. And there will also be prizes given out for the schools which get top marks for boosting their attendance record.

Telford & Wrekin Council’s School Attendance Week, which starts today, aims to combat all types of truancy.

But Attendance Week is particularly concentrating on “condoned truancy” – for example when a child is allowed to stay off for his or her birthday or a family holiday.Officials will record the percentage improvement in attendance figures at each school from the week of November 10 to 14 to the week of December 8 to 12.

The week will also have specific initiatives called “late gates” and “truancy sweeps”.

Late gates will see school gates manned to round up late arrivals and truancy sweeps will involve educational welfare officers checking the surrounding streets to prevent children from skipping lessons.

Councillor Stephen Burrell, lead member for children and young people, said: “Attendance figures across the borough have improved greatly and our primary school attendances are above the national average.

“But we know that the situation can always be improved on and are making a concerted effort to impress upon both parents and pupils that every day matters and every lesson counts.

“Parents need to demonstrate that they are 100 per cent behind their child’s education and be aware that it’s not good enough to give them the day off for their birthday or for a family holiday.

“We would encourage people to contact us about children who they are aware of that are missing their education and we would emphasise that school is the safest place for a child.”

The primary and secondary schools in the borough that record the biggest percentage improvement in their attendance will receive boxes of goodies and games as a prize.