MORE than 300 parents have been taken to court over their children skipping school, new figures have revealed.

Essex County Council has brought prosecutions against the parents and guardians of 318 persistent truants since September 2007, according to figures obtained under a Freedom of Information request.

One parent was sentenced to three months in prison over their child’s absences, while the highest fine handed out was £525.

The council even used the powers against the parents and guardians of Year 1 children – aged between five and six.

The most persistent truants were youngsters in Year 10, where 63 parents were prosecuted, and Year 9, where 46 parents were taken to court.

Government legislation allows local councils to issue a £50 fine in the form of a fixed penalty notice which has to be paid by parents or guardians of pupils who have a so-called unauthorised absence from school.

If payment is not made within 28 days, the fine will be increased to £100.

Failure to pay the fine within 42 days results in a summons to appear before a magistrates’ court.

Stephen Castle, Essex county councillor for education, said: “It is necessary in some cases to issue penalty notices or instigate prosecution of the parents.

“We also apply for dducation supervision orders from the family courts, if it is believed this will impact positively on attendance levels.”

Jerry Glazier, Essex secretary for the National Union of Teachers, backed the use of the powers.

He said: “Schools are there to meet the educational needs of the children, and where parents are complicit in persuading or encouraging their children not to go to school, something has to be done.

“However, it has to be used judiciously, as there have been cases when parents try very hard to get their children to go to school and, for whatever reason, they are unable to force them.

“These parents must be supported.”

But the Tax Payer’s Alliance criticised the use of the legislation.

A spokeswoman said: “A lot of taxpayers’ money has been spent on pursuing these cases.

“When spending cuts are being made it is important to allocate resources carefully. It seems heavy handed to pursue parents through the courts.”

The figures are only for schools administered by Essex County Council – Thurrock and Southend councils run their own education services.