School attendance
Children who attend school regularly perform better and gain better qualifications than those who attend less regularly.
By missing out on education children risk leaving school with no qualifications and nothing to show for their time at school.
From time to time problems may arise that cause children to miss school.
These include, teenage rebellion, bullying at school, peer pressure, family problems or problems with studying.
Who should I contact if my child isn't attending school?
If your child is having problems attending school you should contact the school directly.
In most cases the person to contact is the head of year. Every school also has an Education Welfare Officer who can help sort out problems and offer independent advice and support.
Your child’s school will be able to put you in touch with the Education Welfare Service or you can contact the service directly by telephoning 0191 424 9935/6.
Prosecution
Parents have a moral and a legal duty to make sure that their children are properly educated.
The council will offer help and advice to parents and children experiencing difficulties in attending school regularly.
The council will also use the legal measures available to it to enforce school attendance.
This includes prosecution in the Magistrates Court of those parents who wilfully neglect their legal responsibility to ensure their children are educated.
The maximum penalty is a fine of £2,500 and / or a 3 -month term of imprisonment.
Penalty notices
A system of penalty notices has also been introduced. These are used as an alternative to prosecution in the Court.
They are used in a range of situations where unauthorised absence from school occurs.
This may be overt truancy, including pupils found on the street during the school day without permission, or inappropriate parentally condoned absence such as holidays in term time, which have not been authorised by the school.
The Penalty Notice requires the parent to pay a fixed penalty fine of £50 rising to £100 if not paid within 28 days.
Those who do not pay the full amount within 42 days are prosecuted in the Magistrates Court.