Wirral mum prosecuted after daughters repeatedly failed to attend school (From Wirral Globe)

Wirral mum prosecuted after daughters repeatedly failed to attend school

11:51am Friday 21st September 2012 in News By Stephanie Cureton

A WIRRAL mother has been taken to court and given an eight-week jail sentence suspended for 18 months after her daughters repeatedly failed to attend school.

Wirral Council said the unnamed woman’s case highlights its “tough stance” on non-attendance at schools as the new terms begins.

Councillor Tony Smith, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Fortunately, school attendance in Wirral is above the national average, but there are some children who are missing out on important life chances and education because their parents fail to ensure they attend school.

“By law, children between the ages of five and 16 must attend school unless they are being educated at home.

“Prosecution for non-attendance is always a very last resort but where action is necessary and we will always put the interests of the child first and fulfil our statutory duty to prosecute the parents.”

Last year 85 parents were prosecuted at Wirral Magistrates Court with 51 receiving fines between £35 and £400. In the same period, 89 fixed penalty notices were issued.

Parents who are concerned about their children's school attendance can contact the council’s Education Social Welfare Service