Wokingham

Tough new measures have been introduced to tackle truancy and misbehaviour in Wokingham district’s schools.

A fine of either £50 or £100 could be handed out to pupils with unauthorised absence from school, their parents or carers.

And parents will have up to 42 days to pay the penalty notice in full or the matter will be taken to court.

Penalty Notices are seen as a way to stop unauthorised absence developing rather than a punishment.

If a pupil has less than 80% attendance, a warning of a penalty notice will be issued to their parents/carers outlining the extent of their absence and giving a maximum of 15 school days to improve.

However, if the child is still playing truant, a penalty notice will be issued by post to a pupil’s home.

Cases of absence without acceptable cause include pupils caught on truancy sweeps or excessive unauthorised holidays in school term time or persistent late arrival at school.

Wokingham local education authority believes penalty notices provide a much quicker and more effective way of sanctioning parents to focus their attention on improving their child’s attendance.

Every school in the district will have new powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to tackle poor school attendance.

Penalty notices expand the range of options available to offer support to help parents change the anti-social behaviour of their children, or sanctions where appropriate.

Reducing absence from school is a key priority for Wokingham District Council.

Councillor Frank Browne, executive member for children’s services, said: “The penalty notice is another tool which the local education authority and schools can use to tackle unauthorised absences. It is a well-known fact there is a link between absence by pupils and poor academic achievement.

“We consider regular attendance of such importance that penalty notices may be used to stamp out persistent and unacceptable unauthorised absences.

“Support and guidance on attendance is always available to parents and carers and I would encourage them to contact either their school or one of the district council’s education welfare officers to seek advice if they have any concerns.

“However the district council will take the steps necessary to ensure children get their education. We would much rather work with parents and carers to improve attendance without having to resort to enforcement actions but these tools can secure a child’s schooling if there is no other option.”

Ian Morgan ~ 24dash.com ~ 2005-11-02