SCHOOL attendance in Trafford is once again above the national average - according to government figures released this week.

The statistics, which cover the borough’s primary and secondary schools, show that persisent absence in primary schools is 0.7 per cent lower than the national average.

While in the secondary sector the figure is 2.7 per cent - bettered only by Westminster.

Data for four year olds was released for the first time and results showed that Trafford children in the early years foundation stage had the second highest attendance rates in the country and the best in the north west.

Executive Councillor Mike Cornes said: “These figures reflect the high standards set by schools and parents and the impact of schools, parents and the local authority working together to ensure that all children and young people in Trafford can access their education in order to achieve. We have an excellent record of academic success in the borough and school attendance plays a large part in our consistently high results.”