A PILOT scheme which targets parents who allow their children to skip school has cut truancy at a Walkden school.

Twenty parents were targeted under the Harrop Fold School's pilot scheme following analysis of attendance records.

As a result of the scheme, 14 persistent truants are now back in school, while six parents whose children still do not attend regularly are facing possible prison sentences.

And the success of the pilot has encouraged senior education officers to extend it to every school in Salford by the end of the academic year.

Harrop Fold headteacher Vicki Devonport said: "While the scheme is still in its early stages, we are already seeing an improvement in school attendance figures across the whole school, along with some individual students attending on a more regular basis."

Under the scheme, school records are used to identify parents of truants. Parents then meet regularly with school staff and a Salford Council education welfare officer to discuss the importance of school attendance.

The school -- whose pupils are aged between 11 and 16 -- has also increased the amount of contact it has with parents.

Personal attendance plans have been introduced, while a system designed to let parents know if their child is playing truant has been extended.

Harrop Fold has also introduced new courses after talking to students with poor attendance to explore what can be done to help them get more out of school.

Mrs Devonport said: "Many of the parents are now realising the importance of school attendance and attitudes are changing.

"They now realise that they cannot condone the absence of their child from school -- and realise that they have a responsibility in ensuring their child attends school."

She said in some cases there was a family history of non-attendance at school, with low value was placed on education.

The pilot scheme was started after recent truancy sweeps. Two thirds of youngsters found to be playing truant in Salford were out shopping with their parents, who often said the child was ill.

Salford's Education Welfare service has also launched a major billboard campaign targeting parents who allow truancy.