School absence fines issued to parents have more than doubled since the pandemic in Bracknell, new data reveals.

Data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows Bracknell Forest Council issued a total of 1,200 school absence fines in the 2023-24 academic year alone.

This has risen substantially from the 2021-22 academic year, where 500 fines were given, and 50 between 2020 and 2021.

As the cost of fines increased from £60 to £80 in February 2024, Bracknell Forest Council would have made at least £72,000 in the past year.

The number of parents taken to court over school absences has also increased, from seven in 2019-2020 to 53 in 2023-24.

Bracknell Forest Council says that this is partially due to an increase of children suffering with mental health problems, as well as a parental attitude shift in school attendance post-pandemic.

Other factors including children with special educational needs (SEN) being out of school as more suitable education is found influence the rise.

The authority added that the crisis of ‘persistent absenteeism’ - referring to when children miss on average seven days of school a term -  is a ‘priority’ to tackle in the future.

What powers do local authorities have?

Fines are given out when a child has missed five days of school for unauthorised reasons.

The minimum amount charged rose from £60 to £80 in February under a government drive to return attendance to pre-pandemic levels. Fines double if the money is not paid within 21 days.

Other powers that local authorities must tackle school absences include issuing parenting orders, school attendance orders, education supervision orders and taking parents to court.

The first parenting order, which requires a parent to attend classes and take advice on how to improve their child’s school attendance, was issued by Bracknell Forest this year.

No education supervision orders, or school attendance orders were issued in the past five years.

But the number of parents taken to court has also risen. While seven were taken to court in 2019-20 and 15 in 2020-21, 53 were taken in 2021-22, 42 in 2022-23, and 53 again in 2023-24.

Why has there been a rise in Bracknell Forest?

Grainne Siggins, executive director of people at Bracknell Forest Council explained that most absences are due to pupil illnesses, accounting for 44 per cent so far this academic year.

But a range of factors also influence absences, such as parents taking their children on term time holidays, or pupils being on a reduced timetable, or being late after registration.

Ms Siggins told the News: “Like many areas across the country, there has been an increase of children and young people with mental health challenges in Bracknell Forest, as well as increased awareness of special educational needs.

“In some cases, attendance can be impacted while appropriate support is sought for the pupil.”

The executive officer added that the council noticed ‘a shift in parental attitude towards attendance, with a rise in elective home education’.

Increased absences are also due to ‘emotional school-based avoidance’, which can be caused by adverse childhood experiences and social pressures, according to Ms Siggins.

A ‘persistent absenteeism’ crisis?

‘Persistent absenteeism’ describes absences of more than 10 per cent, which have reached record levels across England in recent years.

A BBC investigation found that between the autumn terms of 2019 and 2022, the number of children missing around seven days a term has risen to 24 per cent across England.

Bracknell Forest Council says that persistent absenteeism is a ‘priority’ for the authority and its partners.

It is collecting and analysing data to identify vulnerable children, and how they can be reached with advice, guidance and support.

This will need more ‘early intervention’, according to Ms Siggins.

As well as this, Bracknell Forest Council has ‘enhanced our communication to promote positive attitudes towards attendance’, which includes creating networks to share ‘good practice and strategies that can impact schools’.

As a nationwide crisis, Bracknell Forest Council says it will implement aspects of the government’s ‘Working together to Improve School Attendance’ which came into force in August.