Parents In Court Over Truancy

The number of parents prosecuted for failing to ensure their children went to school increased by more than 25% in 2014.

16:01 13 August 2015

Last year, 16,430 people were taken to court in England for because of children skipping school, an increase of 25per cent when compared to data collected in 2013. According to the Ministry of Justice, more than 75per cent were found guilty.

 

The figures show:

 

·       12,479 people found guilty of truancy offences

 

·       9,214 fines, averaging  £172, issued by courts

 

·       18 jail sentences in 2014

 

·       10 of those jailed were women

 

 

Malcolm Trobe, deputy general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "Good attendance is absolutely critical to the education and future prospects of young people," 

 

"Schools have rightly responded to this overwhelming evidence by taking a strong line in identifying when children are absent without a valid reason, particularly where there is persistent truancy."

 

 

Meanwhile, the Department of Education explained the importance of not missing school for children. "Our evidence shows missing the equivalent of just one week a year from school can mean a child is a quarter less likely to achieve good GCSE grades, having a lasting effect on their life chances.”

 

"Heads and teachers are now firmly back in charge of their classrooms, and most recent figures show we have made real progress - with 200,000 fewer pupils regularly missing school compared with five years ago."