If your child is truanting
Sometimes your child will choose not to go to school during term time or will leave school during the day without the school's permission. This is called truancy.
Tell your child's school if you think they're truanting
Please contact your child's school if you think they might be truanting. They can work with you and your child to find out why they aren't attending.
Sometimes, if the school thinks it's necessary, and you're still having trouble getting your child to attend school, they will contact an Education Welfare Officer for more help.
Find your school's contact details
What happens if your child is truanting
In Rochdale borough, we work closely with the police to check up on levels of truancy. Police officers often go out on 'truancy sweeps' where they have the right to stop and challenge school-age children who aren't in school during school hours.
Many truants are accompanied by their parents on a shopping trip or a day out. Children who aren't accompanied may be taken home or back to their school by the police.
School fines and penalties
If your child doesn't attend school regularly, you may be fined £60. Full instructions on how to pay the fine are given on the back of the penalty notice.
If the fine isn't paid within 21 days, it can go up to £120.
If the fine isn't paid after 28 days, you may be prosecuted. You could receive a fine of up to £2,500, a community order or a jail sentence of up to 3 months. The court will also give you a Parenting Order.
Reasons why children stop going to school
There can be lots of reasons why a child stops attending school or refuses to go. They may be being bullied or having trouble making friends, or they may find the school work difficult.
Whatever the reason, you need to find the best way to improve their school attendance.