A MOTHER has been jailed because of her 13 year old daughter's truancy.
The 43 year old Macclesfield mum was sentenced to 28 days by the town's magistrates after she admitted failing to ensure the girl attended school regularly.
Cheshire East Council brought the case after the child attended only 11 out of 81 school sessions between October 9 and December 19 2008.
The court was told of the mother's 'total failure' to co-operate with the council's education welfare service, which has been involved with the family since 2001 when the child was at primary school.
The mother, who can not be named for legal reasons, already has two previous convictions dating from 2007 and 2008 relating to her daughter's truancy.
Danny McLoughlin principal education welfare officer, said: "Truancy is damaging to a child's education at any age, but Year 9 is a crucial time when GCSE option choices are made which form the basis of study for the next two years.
"By failing to stop her daughter playing truant, the mother in this case was in serious danger of jeopardising her daughter's educational opportunities and career prospects."
Coun Paul Findlow, portfolio holder for children and family Services, said: "Taking parents to court is a last resort. But there is little option if a parent consistently ignores all the help, warnings and advice they are given.
"Whilst this sentence gives us no pleasure at all, it does reinforce the message that we are prepared to prosecute parents who refuse to co-operate."
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Mum jailed over truant teen
June 09, 2009
Showing comments 1 to 7 and replies | View All
Mybol Zarichin, Scratchin Tons (09/06/2009 at 15:36)
Sounds like the daughter is going to go far in life.
Could always thank her Mum for all the support she has given.
Any wonder why society is like it is.........
Ian, Wigan, Wigan, England (09/06/2009 at 17:22)
Ian Inglis,
Wigan
Andanotherthing, Mcr (09/06/2009 at 17:29)
Ian Inglis, Wigan
Ian, Wigan, Wigan, England
No Ian I don't. A better way would be to compell the parent to take, accompany the child through every lesson for a term. No excuses.
Ian, Wigan, Wigan, England (09/06/2009 at 17:57)
Andanotherthing, Mcr
Maybe you could tell me why prosecuting the truant won't bring the figures down? Before corporal punishment in schools (and at home) was banned, kids were caned or strapped for playing truant and the figures were very low. Look at them now. (I am not advocating bringing back corporal punishment, unless of course, with safe guards, this would be a better alternative to court action).
Andanotherthing, Mcr (09/06/2009 at 18:40)
Ian, Wigan, Wigan, England
Because all of that has gone Ian. Children are above or below the law. I could not see this being an on going situation in my house, I would use my authority ( and responsibility )as a parent, to sort it out. I would embarrass my child by sitting at the next desk each and every day if I had to. Children can walk out of school even when deposited at 9am at the office. School /parent rather than, parent / court. I agree. But start with parent / child.
Chelley, Milan (09/06/2009 at 21:11)
david bakey (11/06/2009 at 10:51)