Parents whose children fail to attend school without good reason can be subjected to a fixed penalty notice of £50 each. This applies to any absence that is not specifically authorised by the head teacher and there is no right of appeal.
Whilst the general concept is welcomed as a means to deter persistent absentees it is becoming apparent that this system is open to miscarriages of justice. The big concern is that parents have no right of appeal against any penalties. In some cases parents believe that there are sound educational reasons for their child taking time out during the school term but can do nothing about any penalty notice imposed.
Heather Kidd said ‘I am receiving reports from parents who genuinely want to take their children out of school for what they see as educational trips and yet they have been fined a total of £100 by the Shropshire Council. There is no right of appeal and if the fine is not paid within 28 days it doubles. What kind of justice is that? It smacks more of kangaroo justice than British justice! I think that not having the ability to appeal contravenes Article 6 of the Human Rights Act. There should be a clear route for parents to appeal, just like any other penalty system in a civilised society.’