Can I be fined if I don’t send my kids to school when they reopen? – The Sun

SCHOOL is back in session and parents who don't send their children back to class will face fines.

Families who ignore the government's rules on their kid's education will be hit with a penalty unless they have a "good reason". Here is everything you need to know about those fines.

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Will I be fined for not sending my child to school?

It is against the law to withhold your child from school, except for a small number of exceptions.

Boris Johnson said it would be "the law" for kids to be in class by September.

Under current laws, a local council can give each parent a fine of £60, which rises to £120 each if the fine is not paid within 21 days.

If the fine still remains unpaid after 28 days you may be prosecuted for your child’s absence from school.

However, the education minister has said fines will be reviewed.

Education Minister Kirsty Williams said parents needed to be reassured, rather than being "threatened with fines".

"We want to have reassuring conversations with parents, rather than threatening them with fines," she told BBC breakfast.

"At this stage it is absolutely appropriate that we have those conversations to understand why parents may have concerns, why they don't want to send their children back, and to work with parents, school by school, on an individual basis, to reassure them."

Similarly, schools minister Nick Gibb said fines will only be used as a “last resort” for parents who keep their children at home.

Speaking on LBC, the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “It is going to be compulsory for children to return back to school unless there is a very good reason or a local spike.

“We have to get back into compulsory education, and as part of that fines sit alongside that.

“Unless there was a good reason for the absence then we would be looking at the fact that we would be imposing fines on families if they were not sending children back.”

Under normal circumstances, when children miss school without a "good reason", each parent can be fined £60 by their local council, which rises to £120 if not paid within 21 days.

What if my child needs to quarantine?

Children who are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus and those who have compromised immune systems are exempt from mandatory school attendance.

It is also strongly recommended that parents ensure their children's other vaccinations are up to date.

What have headteachers said about fining parents?

Headteachers have urged the government to allow a “period of grace” before fining parents who keep their children at home.

Geoff Barton, leader of the ASCL head teachers union told The Times the Government needs to be understanding.
He said: “We would caution the government against an expectation that penalties for non-attendance should be imposed as soon as school resumes in September.

“It would be a good idea to have a period of grace to allow confidence to build among parents, rather than attempting to force the issue from the word go.

“We are sure that most parents will want their children to attend, but there will be some who are nervous for a variety of reasons and it does not seem right to hit them with fines.”

Schools minister Nick Gibb also reiterated that fines are something that "headteachers are very reluctant to use, they only use them as a last resort.”

Headteachers and teachers’ unions have been urged to “build confidence” with families by not rushing to reintroduce fines.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said that the organisation doesn’t believe fining parents if their children do not attend school in September is the “right approach”.

“There will be many frightened and anxious parents out there, and this is very much a case of building confidence that it is safe to return, rather than forcing the issue through the use of fines,” he said.

Do I have to send my kids to school when they reopen?

Pupils will return after nearly five long months of being out of mainstream education because of the pandemic.

Schools have now been ordered to put all year groups in "protective bubbles" to minimise contact and lessen the chance of transmission.

This comes after secondary schools in England reopened for some students from Years 10, 11 and 12 in June 15.

The Government had to abandon plans to get every primary school child back in for a month before the summer.

But not all schools have reopened fully.

Some do not have the staff and others do not have the space for social distancing.

When will every age group have to return?

On July 2, Mr Williamson announced the full reopening of schools in September.

He said: “I want to reassure parents and families that we are doing everything we can to make sure schools, nurseries, colleges and other providers are as safe as possible for children and staff, and will continue to work closely with the country’s best scientific and medical experts to ensure that is the case.”

On June 29, Boris Johnson revealed his “ deep frustration” at some schools failing to reopen.
Appearing on Times Radio, he said: “Everyone needs to understand that schools are safe. If they can go back they should go back.

“It would be very helpful if our friends in the teachers union delivered that message and some councils.

“Everybody must go back in September.”

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