NOTTINGHAM schools had one of the highest rates of persistent absence in the country last year, new figures have revealed.
One child in 15 – or 6.4 per cent of children in primary and secondary schools – were classed as being persistently absent in 2012-13.
This meant they missed 15 per cent or more of classes throughout the school year.
In secondary schools, the figure was 9.6 per cent, and in primaries four per cent.
Only Liverpool, Blackpool and Knowsley, all in Lancashire, and Barnsley, in Yorkshire, had worse records for primaries and secondaries combined.
In the area of Nottinghamshire outside the city, 4.8 per cent of children were classed as persistently absent.
The national average was 4.6 per cent.
Councillor David Mellen, portfolio holder for children's services at the city council, said: "The primary responsibility rests with the parents.
"As a council, we can't go to children's homes, dress them and make sure they get to school on time."
Some schools have taken to giving rewards to children and even parents for making sure youngsters get to classes.
The figures were released by the Department for Education.