Can increased fines cut pupil absence?

Emma Sanderson examines the high levels of persistent absence in schools in England.

The latest figures released by the Government, ‘Pupils absent in schools in England’, shows a continuing high level of persistent absence, with 21.2% – just over one fifth of pupils – missing 10% or more of their schooling. The highest numbers were recorded for disadvantaged children: those with caring responsibilities (39% of young carers were persistently absent and missed an average of 23 days of school last year) and pupils receiving free school meals (FSM).

The Department for Education’s (DfE’s) response to these alarmingly stark statistics is a hike in school absence fines for parents or carers. Fines issued if a child misses five days of school for unauthorised absence, currently start at £60, rising to £120 if they are not paid within 21 days. The new charge will start at £80, increasing to £160. Last year 400,000 penalty notices were issued to parents in England for unauthorised school absences.

Along with the increases, the DfE announced school absence fines will be brought under a national framework to help tackle inconsistencies in their use across England. Under the new measures, every state school in England will share their daily attendance registers with the DfE, councils and academy trusts.

Creating a consistent national framework for fines makes sense. Currently, there is significant variation between how and when local authorities issue fines to parents. But it does beg the question, that while school concrete crumbles, the exodus from the teaching profession continues and budget cuts threaten the precarious status of special needs  provision, the DfE prefers to shine the spotlight on parents.

Consistent attendance is of course incredibly important, and the impact of such high levels of absence will have devastating impacts on the futures of these children, but so far fines have had little positive effect. We need to find out why these pupils are choosing not to go to school, rather than piling even greater financial penalties on struggling families who cannot afford to put food on the table or heat their homes.

We recognise barriers to attendance, such as long term medical conditions or lack of appropriate SEND provision. Guidance ensures schools work with pupils and families to respond to each pupils’ individual needs, however, how will this be funded? With cutbacks to funding for national professional qualification, and the scaling back of teacher top-up courses, who will teach and support these pupils?

Schools do need help from the Government in improving attendance – in terms of funding and investment in local social care, attendance and mental health services. Education has become an unofficial fourth emergency service, picking up the pieces of years of cut backs in support services.