Schools are getting tough on parents and carers who don’t send their children to school. Latest Welsh Government data out today shows absence is still a major problem across Wales with more than one in 10 pupils missing lessons on average since the start of the academic year - and more in some cases.
Fines for not sending children to classes were re-introduced at the end of last year after being put on hold during the pandemic. But one headteacher said £60 fines were not always enough.
Cardiff’s Meadowlane Primary has recently taken two sets of parents to court successfully because being fined had not worked to bring their children to school.
Meadowlane Primary headteacher Chloe Ford said: “We have had two cases so far that we have taken to court. That has brought the children back. You never want to take it to court but these children need us to be here. If their parents are not engaging we have no choice but to take tougher steps."
