Thousands of children were persistently absent from schools in south east London last year, according to figures from the Department of Education.

The figures showed that state secondary schools in Greenwich had the highest percentage of pupils missing at least 10 per cent of teaching time at 1,772 children (14 per cent) in the 2016/17 academic year.

The Government defines children as persistently absent if they miss 10 per cent of their classes.

School officials authorised 59 per cent of the time that pupils were absent, most commonly for illness or medical appointments but the remainder was not, and includes periods of truancy and unauthorised family holidays.

State secondary schools are required to provide a minimum of 190 days of teaching each year.

In total, Greenwich's secondary schools lost 127,000 days of teaching over the academic year.

In Greenwich's primary schools, 1,668 children – 8 per cent of all pupils - were regularly absent.

In Bexley, 11 per cent of state secondary pupils, 1,849 children, were persistently absent.

In total, the secondary schools in the area lost 152,000 days of teaching over the academic year.

In primary schools, 8 per cent were regularly absent.

Lewisham schools saw 13 per cent of their students regularly missing classes-1,707- 58 per cent of which was authorised.

On average Lewisham state secondary schools lost 134,000 days of teaching over the academic year.

In Bromley, 11 per cent of state secondary pupils in the area, 1,854 children, missed at least 10 per cent of their allotted teaching time, while schools on average lost 150,000 days of teaching time.

In Bromley's primary schools, 1,627 children – 7 per cent of all pupils - were regularly absent.

A Department for Education spokesman said: “Children only get one chance at an education and evidence shows that every extra day of school missed can affect a pupil's chances of achieving good GCSEs.

“The rules on term-time absences are clear and we have put schools back in control by supporting them - and local authorities - to use their powers to deal with unauthorised absence.”

Councils can impose fines of £60 on parents who fail to ensure their children's attendance at school, rising to £120 if not paid within 21 days.