Wokingham

Wokingham District Council has issued its first penalty notice as part of its programme to reduce truancy in the district’s schools.

A pupil from St Crispin’s School in Wokingham had less than 80% attendance at school last term and a warning of a penalty notice was issued to their parents outlining the extent of their absence just before Christmas. The pupil had 15 school days to improve, but, there were further unauthorised absences and as a result a penalty notice was issued on January 25.

Having received a penalty notice, parents have three options available to them. They are subject to a fine of either £50 if paid within 28 days of receipt or £100 if paid between 29 and 42 days after receipt. If a parent does not pay in full within this time period, the district council will commence proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court for failing to ensure regular attendance at school.

Wokingham Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for children’s services, said: “Missing out on an education can limit options for the future and if young people are not in school then they are also increasingly vulnerable to becoming involved in crime or becoming the victim of crime themselves. Education is vital.

“The district council remains committed to reducing absence from school and will not tolerate persistent and unacceptable unauthorised absences. We will take the necessary steps to ensure children get their education and this is what we have done in this instance by issuing the district’s first penalty notice.

“The council will be robust in its approach to tackle truancy and will take the appropriate measures to ensure that children attend school regularly, which is vital for their future success. This is a clear message to parents that unauthorised absences are not acceptable and will be addressed, even if it means as a last resort we take parents to court.”

Alex Biddle, headteacher at St. Crispin’s School, said: “There is an obvious link between good attendance and education standards. I fully support any action taken by Wokingham District Council to achieve the highest standards for students in the district.”

Penalty notices came into force in the district in October 2005. They 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 has 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.

It is a well-known fact there is a link between absence by pupils and poor academic achievement. Support and guidance on attendance is always available to parents and carers and the district council would encourage them to contact either their school or one of the council’s education welfare officers to seek advice if they have any concerns.

This week, Wokingham district council has also issued a further ten warning letters to parents and carers whose children have less than 80% attendance at school.

Wokingham District Council