Figures reveal the number of Merton parents taken to court for their child's absence from school

Since a rule change earlier this year, parents taking their children out of school for family holidays during term-time can be prosecuted.

Schools take a tough line with parents who take children out of school without approval, particularly for something like a family holiday.

Parents are required, according to section 444(1) of the 1996 Education Act, that parents are required to ensure their children “attend school regularly”.

Supreme Court Judges ruled that “regularly” means “in accordance with the rules prescribed by the school”.

Merton Council was asked under Freedom of Information rules for the number of parents taken to court, the number of penalty notices given for irregular absences and the number for unauthorised absences.

The number of penalty notices handed out for unauthorised absences in Merton has increased every year since 2013.

According to new figures, the number of parents taken to court because of irregular absences in 2015/16 was 50, and the number of penalty notices issued for irregular absences was 125.

For the same period, the number of penalty notices issued because if unauthorised absences was 136 – a big increase from 2014/15’s total which was 73.

This is also a big increase on 2013/14’s total fines issued for unauthorised absences which was just 35.

For this year to date, 38 parents have been taken to court, 113 penalty notices have been issued for irregular attendance and 71 penalty notices have been issued for unauthorised absences.

Merton Council cabinet member for education Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah said: “We fully support our schools in their efforts to ensure pupils are at school when they are supposed to be.

“Department for Education figures show that attendance in Merton Schools is better than nationally and across London. The majority of Merton parents ensure that their children attend school regularly and where they do not do this, we take robust action.”