A SCHOOL in Worcester has been named as one of the worst in Britain for truancy.

But the headteacher of Elgar Technology College has hit back, saying the Government is using statistics that are two years out of date.

The city high school, in Bilford Road, was named by the Department For Edu-cation And Skills as one of the worst 146 in the country for unauthorised absence.

Headteacher Tony James said the truancy problem had been addressed since the data was recorded in 2003.

"Over the last three years, attendance figures have improved in line with the target of 90 per cent and we are now in line with other city high schools," he said.

"We continue to improve our attendance levels a,s ultimately, this is the key to student achievement. But we have to point out that this is old data and the situation is very different now from what it was three years ago."

The DfES had originally refused to reveal the names of the 146 schools, but the data was obtained using the new Freedom Of Information Act.

The Government said it estimated that in each of the 146 schools listed there were between 40 and 50 hardcore truants.

Parents of these children will now be given 12 weeks to improve their child's attendance or face a fine of up to £2,500 or jail.

Mr James said his school was at the forefront of tackling truancy using schemes such as an automated telephone call to parents if children were not in school.

He added: "We can't just go round penalising parents. That would be missing the point.

"There are often complex reasons and for some families it's beyond their control and we have to tackle the problem collectively."

He said the introduction of more flexible, vocational courses would also encourage better attendance.