Hampshire parents fork out almost £700,000 in fines for failing to get children to school

Almost 21,000 families were fined last year for unauthorised absences, with local authorities collecting a whopping £697,487 in penalties.

The number of parents fined by Hampshire County Council have ballooned 22.6 per cent, from 13,508 in 2017/18 to 16,565 in 2018/19.

In the last year alone the authority raked in £503,117 in missed school day fines – up 27.7 per cent from the previous year’s total of £393,922.

Penalties in Portsmouth have also swelled, with 1,786 parents being fined in 2017/18 compared to 2,143 in 2018/19.

While the amount of cash generated from the fines soared 27.6 per cent, from £90,040 in 2017/18 to £114,930 in 2018/19, a study by The Knowledge Academy revealed.

Campaigners have now said they are worried by the rise.

Portsmouth teacher Amanda Martin, president of the National Education Union, said it was ‘counterproductive’ and claimed some families could only take holidays during term times.

‘Fining parents under these circumstances has caused great anger amongst parents and is not supported by the majority of teachers,’ she said.

Ms Martin added that better dialogue was needed between schools and parents to keep children in lessons.

‘Fines invariably have the complete opposite effect creating unnecessary tensions between school and families – clearly this is counterproductive to getting the problem resolved,’ she said.

Councils can require parents to pay £60 each per child taken out of school without permission.

This rises to £120 if not paid within 21 days, and after 28 days parents can be prosecuted.

In Portsmouth, 282 parents were prosecuted last year, up from 217 the year before. While in 765 were taken to court by Hampshire County Council compared to 664 in 2017/18.

Shadow communities minister Stephen Morgan was concerned by the figures and has demanded the government pumps more cash into councils to reverse ‘crippling’ education budget cuts.

The Portsmouth South MP said: ‘The solution to this problem shouldn’t be fining those often most vulnerable and financially poor. Instead, proper funding for local services and increased support should be offered to parents with children at risk of unauthorised absences.’

Last year Portsmouth launched a campaign to boost school attendance and raise aspirations.

Alison Jeffery, director of education and children services at Portsmouth City Council, said: ‘We take attendance seriously, every child has the right to an education.

‘If a school decides to take more formal action for non-attendance, the council will issue fixed penalty notices or take the case to court.

‘This is because we are committed to supporting our schools in making sure children attend school.’

City education boss Councillor Suzy Horton insisted cash generated from fines was pumped back into schools.

She added: ‘School is a really good place that can open up doors for young people in the future – it’s about getting parents and children to realise this.’

Councillor Roz Chadd, executive member for education and skills at Hampshire County Council, said: ‘We work closely with our schools in promoting good attendance to ensure all children get the best from their education and, as a result, attendance in Hampshire is higher than the national average.

‘We know that the reasons for poor attendance are wide ranging and complex and we continue to work hard with schools and families to improve the situation.

‘Department for Education guidance is followed in advising headteachers not to authorise absence in term time unless there are exceptional reasons to justify permitting the absence. Targeted support is given to schools in managing this issue and share best practice.

‘However, sometimes, schools find it necessary to issue a fixed penalty notice to parents of pupils who fail to attend regularly and schools’ use of this is usually only as a last resort.’