CLARITY is needed on rules around school attendance amid claims some are adopting an over-zealous approach, councillors have said.
The number of £120 fixed penalty notices issued for failing to attend school increased by 11 per cent in Torfaen in just a year.
But councillors want clarity around rules on school attendance and who fines can be applied to.
One said a parent had contacted her when their four-year-old child was refused a day off nursery – even though there is no legal requirement for children to attend.
Councillor Rose Seabourne, who represents Cwmbran’s Fairwater ward, said: “A parent came to me and said could I have a fixed penalty notice when my son is only four years old and is only in the nursery? He shouldn’t really be in school but was refused the day off.”
When Cllr Seabourne and Pontnewynydd and Snatchwood member Nicholas Simons raised concerns about how fines are issued, with Torfaen Borough Council’s education officers at a scrutiny meeting, it was confirmed fines can only be applied to those aged five to 16.
Education welfare officer Hannah Catherine Moore said fines can only be applied to pupils aged five to 16 of statutory school age.
Following the meeting Cllr Seabourne confirmed the child’s parent hadn’t been issued with a fixed penalty notice but the youngster had been denied a day off by a school she declined to name.
During the 2024 to 2025 financial year, which ended on March 1, Torfaen Borough Council had 261 requests from schools to issue fixed penalties which are normally issued when someone admits responsibility and as a way of avoiding the costly process, and extra scrutiny, of bringing a prosecution.
That figure increased by 26 from 2023/24 the first year the council introduced the £120 fines, which it reduces to £60 for parents able to pay within 60 days. However while 44 requests to issue the fines were withdrawn by the council in 2023/24 just 11 were withdrawn the following year.
The council also has software linked to school attendance registers that can issue fines but council officers said requests must be in line with its policies that include evidence the school has worked with the family and if issues such as additional learning needs have been identified.
Officials also told councillors they plan to extend the council’s ‘Not In Miss Out’ campaign, that promotes school attendance, to nursery schools to encourage good attendance from an early age.
The committee, which was presented with a detailed update on school attendance and exclusions in Torfaen and how the council supports children to attend school, has recommended there is clarity around the fines and improved communication on rules around attendance.
Councillors will also make a recommendation on monitoring the number of pupils who are educated at home in Torfaen but said it endorsed the council’s approach to improve attendance and reduce exclusions.
