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Steep rise in number of parents hit by truancy fines | Steep rise in number of parents hit by truancy fines |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A record number of parents were hit with fines last year after their children skipped lessons, official figures show. | A record number of parents were hit with fines last year after their children skipped lessons, official figures show. |
New statistics also show a steep rise in the number of parents prosecuted for failing to pay their penalties, with almost 8,000 cases taken to court. | New statistics also show a steep rise in the number of parents prosecuted for failing to pay their penalties, with almost 8,000 cases taken to court. |
In total, the number of penalty notices, collectively worth millions of pounds, rocketed by more than a quarter in the space of one school year, according to government data. | In total, the number of penalty notices, collectively worth millions of pounds, rocketed by more than a quarter in the space of one school year, according to government data. |
The figures show that 52,370 £60 penalty notices were issued to parents and guardians for a child's unauthorised absence from school in 2012-13 – up 27% from 41,224 in 2011-12. | The figures show that 52,370 £60 penalty notices were issued to parents and guardians for a child's unauthorised absence from school in 2012-13 – up 27% from 41,224 in 2011-12. |
Of the fines handed out in the last academic year, 27,977 were paid within 28 days; after 28 days, the fine doubles to £120. | Of the fines handed out in the last academic year, 27,977 were paid within 28 days; after 28 days, the fine doubles to £120. |
In 7,806 cases, someone was prosecuted for non-payment of a fine, up 23% from 2011-12. | In 7,806 cases, someone was prosecuted for non-payment of a fine, up 23% from 2011-12. |
An analysis of the figures suggests that if all £60 fines were paid within 28 days, the total amount collected would be more than £3.1m. | |
The statistics also show that, in total, pupils in England skipped 1% of half days without permission, known as "unauthorised absence" in 2012-13 – the same proportion as in 2011-12. | |
The overall absence rate – both authorised and unauthorised – rose slightly from 5.1% to 5.2%, according to the figures. | |
Government statisticians said the hike could be because of low levels of sickness the year before last, which have now returned to more usual levels. | |
Fewer children are also missing a month of school a year without permission, the figures suggest. | |
In total, the percentage of children who are classed as "persistent absentees" dropped to 4.6% from 5.2% in 2011-12, with around 300,895 now falling into this category. | |
The Department for Education (DfE) said the number of persistent absentees was down almost a third compared with 2009-10. | |
Children are classed as persistent absentees if they miss more than 15% of school time, and around 130,000 fewer youngsters now meet this threshold than in 2009-10, the DfE said. | |
The education secretary, Michael Gove, said: "There is no excuse for skipping school. We have taken action to reduce absence by increasing fines and encouraging schools to address the problem earlier. | |
"Today's figures show we are making progress, with 130,000 fewer pupils regularly missing school under this government. | |
"Alongside our measures to give teachers powers to search pupils and impose same-day detentions, this demonstrates our determination to get tough on bad behaviour." |
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