Late for school

SIR – You report (July 2) that “ministers back £60 fines for parents whose children are repeatedly late for school”.

As acting CEO of an organisation that champions parental participation in education, I recognise the need for regular and timely attendance at school. However, it is misguided to use the blunt instrument of a fine.

Parents matter when it comes to how well their child does at school. A more positive approach would be to improve communications between teachers and families to identify the real issues they are facing and to work with them to find the solutions.

In this way children can learn and thrive without the threat of a penalty hanging over their parents’ heads.

Parent Teacher Association UK Tonbridge, Kent