MORE than 1,000 parents and carers were fined for taking their kids out of school in Barnsley last year according to latest figures - and Barnsley Council has warned tougher new measures are set to be brought in from September.
According to a council report, which is due to be formalised by ruling cabinet members on Wednesday, the criteria which head teachers are required to consider when assessing the merits of leave is to be scrapped.
Currently, head teachers look at attendance records, exams and assessments and any supporting letters but the proposals show each criteria will be removed.
Under the revised policy, fixed penalty notices will be issued if a pupil has accrued five or more consecutive days of unauthorised leave, while sporadic absences and any excluded pupil present in a public place without justification during school hours could result in formal warnings being issued.
Around 1,200 received fines - generating a total income of £33,520 - in 2018/19 and the council expects a ‘significant increase’ in the number of requests from schools to issue penalties following the changes.
More than a dozen people appeared at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court last month for failing to ensure their children regularly attend school and were fined - some as much as £813 including prosecution costs - for the unauthorised absences and failing to pay the initial FPN.
The report said: “While it is forecast that there will be a significant increase, the level is difficult to estimate at this stage.
“Barnsley Council advocates the importance of children regularly attending school and that children should only be taken out in exceptional circumstances.
“The local authority relies on head teachers to consider every aspect of cases when assessing requests for leave of absence. The proposed main change to the code of conduct is the removal of the criteria which head teachers are required to consider.
“Head teachers must consider each case on its own merits and schools are required to respond in writing to parents / carers and to have made every effort to warn them of a pending penalty notice.
“If due to sporadic absences in other than specific circumstances, the liable parent/carer will receive a formal warning and given a maximum of 15 school days to effect an improvement.
“If there are further absences within the 15-day monitoring period, an FPN may be issued.
“It is proposed that the impact on capacity following the change in September is monitored to ensure that the service is able to meet demand within legal time scales.”
A four-week consultation with governing bodies, chief executives of academy trusts, head teachers and the police started on January 18 and feedback, the report says, was supportive of the proposals.
“The proposal will further promote to families the importance of good attendance,” the report added.
“This will support the ongoing efforts of schools and the council in raising awareness of children, young people and families of the impact that attendance has on their education and long-term outcomes.
“The implementation date of September 2019 will allow sufficient time for schools’ governing bodies to update their associated policies and code of conduct.”
