Shropshire parents fined for pupils' school absences

The mother and father of a 13-year-old, and the father of a 15-year-old, appeared in court after their children's attendance fell well below average.

Shrewsbury magistrates were told the 13-year-old had an 89 per cent attendance record between April 20 and July 3 this year, meaning she had attended 88 out of 98 school sessions. The average attendance rate in Shropshire's schools is 95 per cent.

Lindsey Glover, prosecuting, told magistrates: "A number of fast-track meetings were arranged to try and sort the absences out but the parents failed to attend. A final warning notice was sent out in April after numerous unattended meetings."

The mother said her child was being bullied and did not enjoy school. She said this has now changed and her attendance had improved. The parents pleaded guilty to being the parent of a child of compulsory school age who failed to attend regularly.

The father of the child was given a £165 fine and ordered to pay £150 court costs, £100 prosecution fees and a £20 victim surcharge. The mother was given an £80 fine and ordered to pay £150 court costs, £100 prosecution fees and £20 victim surcharge.

In a separate case, a father from north Shropshire pleaded guilty to the same charge. Ms Glover said the man's 15-year-old son had been absent for 52 out of a possible 68 sessions at his secondary school between March 23 and May 22 this year – an attendance rate of 76 per cent.

The father said his child had not attended school on those occasions due to illness. He said he regretted not ringing the school. The father was fined £100 and told to pay £100 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Councillor Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for children's services, said:

"When children are taken out of school during the term time, not only does the education of the individual child suffer, but it can cause disruption to the rest of the class."