The number of parents being prosecuted for their child’s truancy has remained static in Kirklees.

But more of them are being fined.

According to Trinity Mirror data statistics, 96 parents landed up in court for their child’s non-attendance at school in 2013, exactly the same number as in 2012.

By far the most common outcome is a fine for parents, with 62 of them receiving this punishment, a rise of four over the previous year.

Some seven parents were ordered to do community service, 18 were given a conditional discharge and three an absolute discharge last year.

The council themselves take action through many of the schools, imposing penalty fines on parents who persist in taking children out of school in term-time to go on holiday.

The latest figures available showed that 988 parents received £60 fines.

Calderdale has seen a big rise in prosecutions over the last four years, from 11 in 2009 to 27 last year, although this was five lower than in 2012. Of these, 20 received fines. The most common fine was less than £100, although three individuals were fined between £500 and £750.

Rules introduced by the Department for Education (DfE) last September have made it harder for parents to get a school’s permission to take their children out of class.

Headteachers in English state schools can no longer approve absences of up to 10 days a year for family holidays in “special circumstances”.

The new rules introduced tougher criteria of “exceptional circumstances”, restricting them to absences for events such as funerals of family members.

Parents have no legal right to take their children out of school during term time for holidays. They are legally responsible for ensuring their children attend school (other than home schooling).

The DfE has stated: “Poor attendance at school can have a hugely damaging effect, and children who attend school regularly are nearly four times more likely to achieve five or more good GCSEs than those who are regularly absent.”

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