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Last Updated: Wednesday, 2 February, 2005, 06:07 GMT
Council issues truancy warnings
A letter detailing recent changes in the law to help tackle poor attendance has been issued to all parents of schoolchildren in Darlington.

The authority can now issue a penalty notice of up to £100 to the parents of children who have missed school.

These include cases of absence without acceptable cause, excessive holidays in term time, pupils caught on truancy sweeps and persistent lateness.

The penalty notices could be sent out after just one warning.

Chris McEwan, Darlington Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services said: "It is essential that parents and carers take heed of this letter.

"Families who are looking to book their main holiday should also be aware that taking holidays in term time can also be viewed as unauthorised absence."




SEE ALSO:
Shops named truancy no-go zones
21 Jan 05 |  Wear
Truants given crackdown warning
17 Nov 04 |  Cumbria
Catching truants - and their parents
21 Oct 04 |  Education
Truants' parents could face fines
19 Sep 04 |  Berkshire


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