THE parents of a seven-year-old girl who was absent more times than she attended school have been prosecuted.

The child, who cannot be named, failed to attend her York primary school on 102 out of possible 194 occasions between November 2010 and April this year, York Magistrates’ Court heard today. Prosecuting, City of York Council told the court that her absence rate was over 50 per cent, compared to an average primary school absence rate of less than five per cent.

The girl’s parents could not adequately explain why she was off school so regularly and consequently her headteacher had made the decision to not authorise the absences. As a result, the council was prompted to take action.

The case against her mother, who did not attend court, was heard in her absence and she was fined £150 with a £15 victim surcharge whilst the girl’s stepfather was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge.

Speaking after the court hearing, Mark Smith, schools adviser for the council, said: “The council only ever uses court as a last resort where all other attempts to encourage good attendance have failed. In these instances, the council’s priority is to protect the interests of the child who is being denied the education to which they are entitled. “This is a thankfully rare case as attendance in York schools is excellent. The most recent figures show that attendance in the council’s primary schools is joint best nationally whilst attendance in secondary schools is amongst the top 25 of 150 local authorities.”

A spokesman for the council said the last time such a prosecution took place was at the beginning of the year.