More from this theme Recent articles An inner-London primary school is tackling persistent absence rates by calling in parents for “attendance awareness courses” on the long-term impact of missing lessons. Netley Primary School, in Camden, says it has improved attendance rates for 75 per cent of pupils whose parents participated in the courses, with parents also avoiding fines in the process. The school’s work is being highlighted in a report to Camden council as it looks to share best practice across the borough, which has particularly stubborn absence rates. One in five pupils in Camden are persistently absent – missing 10 per cent of sessions a year – according to Camden Learning, a school-led improvement organisation. ‘Overprotective’ parents Across the capital, Camden ranks 29th out of 32 boroughs for worst primary attendance rates and 30th for secondary school absence. The council issued 602 fixed penalty notices for absence last year. The borough also has the highest sickness absence rates in inner London. Gareth Morris Gareth Morris, headteacher at Netley Primary School, said that although parents …