SCHOOLS are to be ordered to draw up emergency plans to tackle truancy.

The Children Skills and Learning Bill will seek to raise standards in all schools and also enable teachers to tackle disruptive behaviour.

Schools and colleges will be given powers to search pupils for alcohol, illegal drugs and stolen items.

Councils will be ordered to take earlier action against school performance which causes concern, with inspectors visiting schools more often.

The government said they wanted to reform education, training and apprenticeships and to promote excellence for all schools - particularly trying to reduce persistent absence from the classroom.