Most parents want their children to get on well in life and that, nowadays more than ever, means having a good education. If children do not attend school regularly, they will fall behind and may not be able to keep up with the work. The reason why children fail at school is often because they do not attend their classes.
By law, all children between the age of five and 16 must have a suitable full-time education. As a parent, you must make sure that your child is registered at a school or make other arrangements for suitable education. Parents can be fined up to £2,500 or imprisoned for failing to ensure that their child attends school regularly.
Truancy
Parents have a legal responsibility to ensure that their child is attending school regularly. Lewisham Council works closely with families, schools and other agencies to improve school attendance.
Failure to attend school regularly could result in the Council taking legal action. Magistrates can also impose a Parenting Order, requiring parents or carers to attend counselling or guidance sessions for a period of up to three months.
The Council might also apply for an Education Supervision Order, granting the Council responsibility to advise, support and provide directions to the child and parents or carers about education.