Thousands fined for taking kids out of school

THOUSANDS of fines have been handed out to parents for taking their children out of school at term-time following a landmark court ruling.

Figures obtained by the Knowledge Academy under the Freedom of Information Act show that Cheshire East Council dished out 2,097 fines in 2018-19.

This was a 47.7 per cent increase compared to 2017-18, when there were 1,420.

Councillor Kathryn Flavell, cabinet member for children and families, said: “It is the responsibility of parents, schools and local authorities to promote good attendance.

“While the number of penalty notices issued has increased, the figures from some other local authorities have increased by a far greater extent.

“The council takes its responsibility to promote good attendance seriously but also considers exceptional circumstances before progressing to a penalty notice.

“We continue to urge parents to ensure that their children maintain a good level of school attendance.”

The figures mean in the two years since a court ruling gave local authorities more clarity on issuing fines 3,517 have been handed out in Cheshire East.