Fighting to keep kids at school (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Fighting to keep kids at school

SWINDON is leading the way when it comes to the fight against truancy.

According to figures released yesterday, the town has dished out the highest number of £50 fines to parents in the region in the seven months since the introduction of the penalties.

And falling truancy figures reflect this.

A total of 26 penalty notices have been imposed on parents in the town while six prosecutions have been brought for non-payment.

The figures are the highest of any south west council and far higher than similar sized local authorities across the country.

Reading council imposed only eight fines while Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Wilt-shire councils failed to use the powers at all between September and April.

Swindon education chiefs issued more fines than Bristol (20) and Sheffield (0) and the same number as Leeds.

Local education authorities were given the power to issue fixed penalty notices in the autumn as the Government tried to slash truancy levels.

Earlier this week the Adver revealed that Swindon schools were celebrating their lowest truancy figures ever.

For primary schools last year the absence rate was 5.1 per cent and for secondary schools it was about seven per cent.

Coun Garry Perkins (Shaw and Nine Elms), Swindon Council's lead cabinet member for children services, said: "The penalties do tie in with our very good attendance rates in Swindon.

"But they are used only as a last resort after all avenues have been pursued.

"Every child needs to be given a chance to have a proper education but unfortunately some parents just don't see it as important.

"Before the penalties are introduced we make every effort to find out what the problem is and try and help, but when there is a complete breakdown then we obviously need to go one step further."

Jamie Hill