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Schools crack down on unauthorised absences

Published: 30/11/2023

Flintshire headteachers issued 99 fines in 2022/23 in a bid to tackle persistent unauthorised absences from school.

Records confirm that headteachers and support services have utilised the statutory powers available to them by issuing 99 Fixed Penalty Notices of between £60 and £120.

It is a legal requirement for parents/carers to ensure their children are attending school. Where persistent absences continue, schools can issue a fine.

Of the 99 fines issued, nearly half were paid within the allocated timeframe. Those that did not pay were progressed to court by the Education Welfare Service (EWS). To date, 8 fines of £660 were handed down by the Magistrates Court.

Flintshire County Council Senior Learning Advisor, John Grant, said every effort is made to support children and families with poor school attendance. However, when absences remain unauthorised by the school, the EWS policy is to progress all unpaid Fixed Penalty Notices to court.

Cabinet member for Education, Councillor Mared Eastwood, said: “It is encouraging that so many parents/carers accepted that unauthorised absences are not appropriate and paid the fine promptly.

“As a council, we wish to make it clear that it is essential that all parents and carers recognise that school attendance is a legal requirement. Non-attendance not only has a negative impact on a child’s education, it can also have a negative impact on their social skills development and mental health and wellbeing.

“The local authority will continue its policy to ensure unauthorised absence is challenged in 2023/24 to support Flintshire children to have the best possible life chances.”