Manchester is one of the largest local authorities in the UK, and it hasone of the worst truancy rates. Levels of unauthorised absence are morethan twice the national average and the city languishes second frombottom of the truancy league table.
Kerry Long, who took over as head of the council's school attendanceimprovement service last month, admits she has a fight on her hands.
"School attendance is a key priority for the council, but it's verydifficult," she says. "We know that and we are prepared to rise to thechallenge and make sure the children of this city achieve as theyshould. Children have to be in school, not just to learn to read andwrite. There is so much more they get from it, like learning how to geton with other people."
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