Thomas Clarkson Community College

THREE parents have been prosecuted for failing to ensure their children attend Thomas Clarkson Community College, Wisbech.

Education welfare officers, who are carrying out regular “truancy sweeps”, thanked the town’s shops and supermarkets for their support in the latest wave of prosecutions.

The three parents, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court.

One was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £100 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

The other two were each given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £100 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

David Gray, vice-principal at Thomas Clarkson, said: “Children need to go to school. The courts play an important role in ensuring parents take their responsibilities regarding school attendance, seriously.

“Schools work closely with parents to help them do their best but sadly in some cases court action like this is necessary in the best interests of our young people.”

The prosecutions were brought by Cambridgeshire County Council.