Fewer lessons are being missed by pupils, latest figures reveal.

Education chiefs in Leicester said the absenteeism figures showed that the actions taken were working.

The proportion of sessions missed through absence in city primary schools fell from 7.56 per cent during the autumn term of 2010 to 4.86 per cent for the same term in 2011.

A session is a morning or afternoon in school.

The proportion of sessions missed in city secondary schools fell from 7.49 per cent to 5.57 per cent.

The latest national figures – for autumn 2010 – were 5.6 per cent in primary schools and 6.71 per cent in secondary schools.

Absenteeism figures include both approved and unapproved time off, with sickness and holidays the main reasons why children did not attend lessons.

Councillor Vi Dempster, Leicester City Council spokeswoman for schools, said: "This is great news, coming on top of the excellent exam results we have had this year, and show our improvement strategies are having a positive impact."

Ellen Collier, principal education welfare officer, said: "The aim has been to intervene earlier, using actions including support and encouragement, formal meetings where necessary and prosecution in a small proportion of cases."

Eyres Monsell Primary School is among those where attendance has improved in recent months.

Head teacher Sally Morrison said: "Our governors have adopted a policy of allowing no term-time holidays, as have many schools across the city.

"We have also worked with parents to stress that every single day missed from school is a day their child won't get back."

Parents can be fined £50 for unauthorised absences, which include taking their children on holiday during term-time without permission.