MORE than 30 children were stopped and challenged during a sweep of truancy hotspots in the town centre.
The transport interchange, Cheapside shopping precinct, Mandela Gardens and the Alhambra Centre were targeted by a joint patrol of Barnsley Council’s education welfare officers and police during a school day last month, which are all areas where children are known to gather during school hours.
The aim of the sweep was to stop and challenge parents with school-age children and unaccompanied children to tell them the importance of regular school attendance.
In total, 31 kids were stopped and spoken to on their reasons for absence from school. Eleven of those children were primary school age and 20 were of secondary school age. About 14 secondary school children were unaccompanied.
n Parents w
Coun Tim Cheetham, education spokesman, said: “Where parents claimed their children were not fit for school, discussions took place about the appropriateness of the child being out of the home when unwell.
“All relevant schools were informed by the patrol officers that the parent and child had been stopped so the school could make a decision whether to authorise the child’s absence or record it as unauthorised.
“In addition, the school’s education welfare officer was informed so that follow-up action could take place as required.”
All the pupils and parents challenged were given a leaflet to explain the reason for the sweep and, where the absence was for medical reasons, advised to return to school as soon as the appointment was completed.
The reasons given by parents and pupils who were stopped were varied. As well as general illness and medical appointments, some pupils were on alternative or reduced provision, some had been excluded from school, others were awaiting school places or being home educated. Two parents said the icy weather was the reason their children were not in school.
Three young people had left their school site without permission and six were on their way to school but running late.
Coun Cheetham added: “This is part of a broader strategy in partnership with Barnsley Schools Alliance Board which aims to tackle poor school attendance and raise educational achievement.
“Enabling Barnsley residents to achieve their potential is one of the council’s priorities, and full-time attendance at school or other learning environments is fundamental to this. Parents, carers and children themselves all have their part to play.”
There has been little change in the figures when compared with a previous patrol in December 2016 when 30 pupils were stopped, of which 15 were primary school kids and 15 were secondary school age.
People experiencing issues regarding pupil attendance are urged to contact the school’s education welfare officer via people@barnsley.gov.uk.
