Truancy is top of the government's list of educational issues to be addressed in 1999. At present, about one million pupils truant from their schools on a daily basis and this book examines why they do it. The numerous reasons for truanting discussed are: disadvantageous home backgrounds; problems with settling in socially at school; poor performance in school; experiencing bullying in school; and not coping with the transition from primary to secondary schooling. The text focuses on the social, psychological and educational causes of truancy. It examines research and gives many examples of good practice while also detailing solutions for tackling this problem. The text is for teachers, heads of year and department heads, senior school managers, education welfare officers, social workers, educational psychologists, parents and all those with an interest in educational policy and practice.