Parents of truant students at two Fenland academies prosecuted

Neale-Wade Academy sign. (Image: Archant)

The parents of three students at Neale-Wade Academy were prosecuted at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court.

One was fined £200 with £150 costs and ordered to pay a £20 surcharge.

A second was fined £100 with £75 costs and a £20 victim surcharge, while the third was fined £40 with £40 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Education welfare officer Julie Rutterford said: “Sometimes, regretfully, we have to support this tough action to get the message across in the best interests of the young people and families involved.”

Nine parents of truant Thomas Clarkson Academy students were also fined and ordered to pay costs and victim surcharges.

Two who attended King’s Lynn Magistrates’ Court received a 12-month conditional discharge and were ordered to pay £50 costs each.

Others who did not attend court were found guilty in their absence and will have to pay fines, ranging from £400 to £600 each, within 28 days.

The cases against four further parents were adjourned until a later date.

David Gray, vice principal at the Thomas Clarkson Academy, said: “It is absolutely clear that children who attend school regularly and punctually do much better at school than those whose attendance is poor.

“We must do all we can to drive that message home to children and encourage their parents to do the same.”