An Expensive Lesson on School Attendance

A Swansea woman has been left with a bill of almost £1,000 after her child attended school only half of the time.

Under section 444(1A) of the Education Act 1996 a parent is guilty of an offence if they knowingly fail to ensure that their child attends the school they are registered at on a regular basis. The maximum penalty on summary conviction is a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale (currently £2,500), a period of 3 months imprisonment or both.

Magistrates heard that the child in question had attended only 116 out of 213 teaching sessions between January and July 2018. The mother cannot be identified, as doing so would reveal the identity of the child.

Defending the woman, solicitor Jeffrey Skidmore told the court: "We are dealing with a woman with considerable issues in respect not least of medical conditions and also anxiety issues.

"She has very limited income. If the court is considering a fine it will compound the misery.

"The attendance is one of 54.4% and there are far lower ones that will be brought before the court – 54% is quite high, although I can’t condone those figures."

Craig Davies, prosecuting on behalf of Swansea City Council, said: "I know the local authority will prosecute anything under 90%. On that scale (the level of attendance) is relatively low."

"She has shown no remorse and blamed the school, despite support being offered."

Magistrates were distinctly unimpressed at the child's low level of attendance, placing the offence in the highest category.

Sentencing, bench chair Alison Davies said: "We have taken considerable time looking at the attendance of your child to make a decision.

"We disagree that 54.4% is in any way acceptable. The impact on your child’s education cannot be ignored."

The bench imposed a 12-month community order, with 20 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and £120 fine. The woman was also ordered to pay £85 victim surcharge and £730 towards prosecution costs, bringing the total amount payable to £935.

Ms Davies warned the woman that she faced the realistic prospect of prison if she defaulted on her fines or failed to engage with the Probation Service.

An expensive lesson learned.