MORE than 700 fines – more than ever before – were handed out to city parents whose children skipped school last year.
Following a city council clampdown on truancy, 728 fixed penalty notices were given out in 2013-14 – up from 338 the previous year.
The tougher stance was praised by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan. And the council warned parents that it will not let up, insisting they would not get away with allowing youngsters to dodge classes.
Mrs Morgan said: "I'm pleased to hear that there is more awareness now that pupils should be in school. Every missed day or half day affects children's education. I support the city council in what it is doing."
The council said it would take action when a child was "persistently absent" – missing at least 15 per cent of classes.
Councillor Sam Webster, executive assistant for schools in Nottingham, said: "All of the penalty notices have been issued to parents at the request of schools. This is not just about the city council; it is the law of the land that children have to be in education.
"The Ofsted inspection regime sets high expectations regarding attendance rates."
At the start of the last school year, the Department for Education brought in a new rule to make it more difficult for parents to get a school's permission to take their children out of class during term time. Many were doing so for cheaper holidays.
If a child is absent without good reason, fines of £60 per parent can be issued. This doubles to £120 if no payment is made in 21 days.
If the fine is remains unpaid, courts can impose tougher fines of up to £2,500 – and even prison sentences.
Bad attendance rates were a major factor behind seven city schools being placed into special measures by Ofsted last November.
At some of the schools – including Bulwell Academy and Farnborough School, Clifton – nearly one in five children were classed as persistently absent.
Following the bad Ofsted reports, the city council set up an Education Improvement Board, which had a remit including raising attendance.
The Post revealed last month that the council had set up a competition which will see the classes with the best attendances in city secondaries attend a private gig with Chart Top Ten girl band Neon Jungle.
Figures due to be released by the Department for Education on Thursday will reveal whether attendance has improved.
Sally Coulton, head teacher at Ellis Guilford School in Basford, said: "We believe that taking a tough stance on this communicates a clear and consistent message about the importance of being in school."
Bulwell Academy has been handing out prizes for 100 per cent attendance.
Principal Paul Halcro told the Post: "It is also about working with the parents to ensure they realise how important school is."
