Crawley head condemns ‘abhorrent’ move to fine parents for school absences from September

Michael Ferry, headteacher of St Wilfrid’s Catholic School, said it was ‘abhorrent’ the Department for Education had revealed plans to penalise parents if their children do not return in the autumn term.

He added: “It’s not right. Why scare people, they’re already scared, they’re already in fear of this virus.

“At the moment my understanding is this is guidance, it’s not statutory.

“Even if it was statutory I wouldn’t do it.

“We need to be building confidence with parents.”

Guidance on the Government website said it is vital for all children to return to school to minimise the longer-term impact of the pandemic on education, wellbeing and wider development.

In a statement it added: “Missing out on more time in the classroom risks pupils falling further behind. Those with higher overall absence tend to achieve less well in both primary and secondary school.

“School attendance will therefore be mandatory again from the beginning of the autumn term.”

From that point, the usual rules on school attendance will apply, the Government said, including:

– Parents’ duty to secure that their child attends regularly at school where the child is a registered pupil at school and they are of compulsory school age;

– Schools’ responsibilities to record attendance and follow up absence

– The availability to issue sanctions, including fixed penalty notices in line with local authorities’ codes of conduct

Where children are unable to attend school as parents are following clinical and/or public health advice, absence will not be penalised, the Government said.

Not sending your child to school in September could result in a £60 fine for each parent, which rises to £120 each if it is not paid within 21 days.

If the fine remains unpaid after 28 days parents could be prosecuted for their child’s absence.

But a Department for Education spokeswoman said fines are only used as a last resort and are decided by local authorities or schools themselves.

Michael said: “It’s a ludicrous decision – [a] £120 fine equates to eight weeks of food vouchers.

“I don’t see how you can defend it. What you’re saying is I’m going to fine you to the tune of £120. This is going to put you at even more of a disadvantage than you already are.”