**Sharp Rise in Fines and Prosecutions for School Absence as Councils Adopt Varied Approaches in Wales**
More than 500 parents across Wales were fined in the last school term for failing to ensure their children attended school, with over 100 prosecutions also recorded, according to the latest figures released following Freedom of Information requests. The data emerge at a time when schools and local authorities are grappling with persistent absenteeism, particularly during the summer term, as families often withdraw children from lessons to take advantage of lower holiday prices before the peak travel season.
Despite concerted efforts by the Welsh Government and councils, school attendance figures have yet to recover to the levels seen prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. The modest improvement in attendance this academic year still falls short of what was commonplace before classroom closures became widespread in spring 2020. Notably, attendance inspectorate Estyn has warned that at the current rate of progress, it could take another decade for schools to reach their pre-pandemic attendance rates. For some children, there has been no return to routine school attendance since the disruption caused by lockdowns.
The impact is especially pronounced among secondary school pupils, who on average are now missing 11 more days of school per year compared to pre-pandemic times. The data illustrate that more than 10% of secondary school sessions—each session representing half a school day—are missed by pupils, with absenteeism rates highest among those from less affluent backgrounds and learners in crucial exam years such as Year 11.
Diverging approaches have emerged among Wales’ 22 councils when it comes to addressing the ongoing attendance issue, with some local authorities prioritising engagement and support over penalties, while others are taking a firmer stance involving fines and legal action. For instance, Anglesey has refrained from issuing any fines or prosecutions related to school absences last term, focusing instead on collaborative work with families. A spokesperson from the council explained that avoiding legal measures “doesn’t mean there wasn’t a need,” but reflects a strategic decision to work more closely with parents.
That contrasts with other areas such as Cardiff, which issued as many as 220 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) within the same period, alongside 34 prosecutions. The penalties imposed varied widely, with fines ranging from £40 to £440, and in some cases, parents were also subject to community orders and required to pay further court costs and victim surcharges.
Other councils adopting penalties include Blaenau Gwent, which issued 77 FPNs and secured 59 prosecutions, and Caerphilly, where 75 fixed penalty notices (with six subsequently withdrawn) were handed out, leading to eight prosecutions. Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, and Swansea also reported issuing dozens of FPNs, while some local authorities such as Monmouthshire and Ceredigion reported minimal or no use of fines or prosecutions, citing a preference for partnership approaches and consideration of family welfare.
These contrasting interpretations of policy present challenges for school leaders, particularly in regions where local authorities are reluctant to fine parents. In its latest commentary, Estyn acknowledged that some headteachers have voiced frustration, describing a lack of enforcement as impeding their ability to challenge persistent non-attendance among pupils.
According to the Welsh Government’s data released this month, average school attendance for the 2023-24 academic year in Wales sat at 90.5%, a notable decrease from 94.3% in 2018-19. The main reasons for absences are reported as illness and unauthorised holidays, with the latter contributing increasingly to non-attendance.
The legislation governing school absences in Wales—the Education (Pupil Registration) (Wales) Regulations 2010—allows headteachers some discretion to authorise leave. Nonetheless, such authorisation should not exceed 10 days per year except in ‘exceptional circumstances’. Yet, figures for the most recent academic year indicate that attendance among Year 11 pupils was particularly low at 85.3%, while in some primary year groups attendance was somewhat higher but still below historical averages.
Persistent absence remains a critical concern, particularly for vulnerable groups. Over half of pupils eligible for free school meals were deemed persistently absent in 2023-24, a sharp increase from the 30.4% seen five years ago. Persistent absence is defined as missing 10% or more of the possible half-day sessions.
The Welsh Government has responded to renewed criticism and warnings by maintaining that raising school attendance remains a central commitment. “School attendance has increased by 0.5% this year, and we continue to invest in family engagement officers and community-focused school initiatives, seeking to build robust partnerships with families and better respond to their needs,” said a government spokesperson.
While the debate continues over the merits of supportive versus punitive measures, it is evident that Wales faces an ongoing challenge to restore consistent school attendance and address the barriers keeping students from the classroom. The differing approaches by councils suggest that the path forward remains contested, with responses shaped by local priorities and philosophies on engagement, support, and discipline.