A HEADTEACHER has threatened to fine parents if their children are repeatedly late for school.

Catherine Stalham, headteacher of Winter Garden Academy, in Link Road, Canvey, has warned parents she will punish them under a strict new truancy policy.

In the warning to parents, which was published in the school’s December newsletter, she said: “Any children arriving after 9am will be marked as late on the register as from April 1.

“Continuous late comers may be issued with a fixed penalty notice.”

The deterrent will work in a similar way to parking fines - meaning the penalty will double if it is not paid within 21 days.

Parents who refuse to pay could be prosecuted and even jailed.

Ray Howard, veteran county and borough councillor for Canvey, said: “I can understand why they’re doing this.

“Inspectors take absenteeism very seriously and can mark a school down for it.

“Headteachers have an exceptionally hard time with this and need to maintain good attendance to protect the school.

“However, I believe under exceptional circumstances parents should not be punished.

“If a parent feels they are being unfairly prosecuted they should come to me as their county councillor. “

Headteachers have been able to fine parents of regular truants under laws introduced by Labour in 2003. Three years ago the Government axed their discretionary power to allow children up to ten days off during term time.

Now, many schools are targeting children who regularly miss registration.

Ray Gooding, county councillor responsible for education, said parents have a legal duty to ensure their children attend school. He added that fines will only be used as a last resort.

He said: “There are clear links between attendance and attainment, and every lesson really does count.

“The Missing Education and Child Employment Service works very closely with Essex schools to address unauthorised absences.

“Parents have a legal duty to ensure regular and punctual school attendance.

“Schools should have their own policy on how long to keep registers open.

“If a pupil arrives after the register has closed, schools can then refer the absence to our service as unauthorised.

If the Essex Code of Conduct criteria are met, penalty notices can then be issued as a last resort.”

Mrs Stalham was not available for comment.