Parents fined as daughter absent nearly 200 times

A mother and father have been fined after their daughter clocked up more almost 200 unauthorised absences from school – despite trying to get her there by taxi, the court was told.

The pair, who do not live together, have been spending up to £70 a week on taxis to take the teenager to school, which is just over a mile away from her home, court heard.

The family had been offered support, including assistance from the charity Barnardo's and a place on a minibus that could collect the girl from home on school days.

However, the girl refused to board the bus, magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre were told.

The parents admitted failing to ensure she attended school regularly between 21 January and 17 July 2024 and between 17 January and 23 May this year.

Magistrates were told the teenager had 94 unauthorised absences during one period and 88 during the other.

Michaela Hill, prosecuting on behalf of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said a number of home visits had been carried out.

A meeting was also arranged with the parents to discuss the girl's attendance.

"[The girl] was SEN registered," Ms Hill added. "The academy offered a minibus to collect her because she raised that she struggled to get there and she didn't like roll call.

"Offers of support were put in place. The academy offered for her to move form group and I know the minibus did go out, but she refused to be collected on it."

The court was also told the girl was "a really nice pupil at school" and there were no issues when she attended, but concerns were raised that she was failing to reach her potential.

Mark Bromley, defending, told magistrates that there had been a "huge degree of cooperation with education and welfare" by the parents.

"They both accept her attendance is unacceptable", he added.

"She's simply a girl that doesn't like school, and the position has been going on for a number of years."

The parents, who were both in receipt of benefits, were paying up to £70 per week for taxis, he said.

He added they regularly received phone calls from the school to say the girl had locked herself in the bathroom or left the premises.

"This couple are really trying their best to ensure [their daughter] attends school, they're taking her every day.

"My understanding is the staff can't physically restrain her and keep her on the premises – if she leaves, she leaves."

He added that the girl had not appeared to understand the seriousness of the situation.

The father was fined £200 and ordered to pay an £80 surcharge and £156 costs.

The mother was given a community order and fined £80, as well as being ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £156 costs.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.