The problem of truancy is being tackled head on at Falmer School in Brighton with the most remarkable results.

Attendance at the school was poor two years ago. Now it is rising fast, thanks to a mixture of incentives and practical measures.

During that same period, the school has come out of special measures and has just received a glowing report from Government inspectors.

There is no doubt that truancy and bad behaviour go hand in hand. If you can tackle one, you are tackling the other at the same time.

The incentives are designed to encourage children to go to school and perhaps even surprise themselves by enjoying it.

There is counselling for kids with problems and, as a last resort, action can be taken against children and their parents who persistently bunk off school.

What is happening at Falmer is now being extended to other schools within the East Brighton Education Action Zone.

It is encouraging that Falmer, which has had deep-seated problems, has been turned round in a comparatively short time by a new head and his staff.

There is optimism that the same measures at East Brighton College of Media Arts, which gains a new head next year, could work even greater wonders. For the sake of staff and pupils, we hope so.