An Angus mother has been given a final chance by a sheriff to make sure her truant son attends school.
In a rare case brought by Angus Council before the courts, the woman admitted a charge of failing to ensure her child’s attendance at a secondary in the district.
She was prosecuted under a section of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act in her role as a parent under the terms of the Education (Scotland) Act after the youngster failed to attend school regularly between August 15 2012 and July 31 2013 and August 13 to November 12 last year.
She cannot be named for legal reasons but when the case was called again this week, an Angus Council solicitor told Forfar Sheriff Court that up-to-date records showed there had “not been a great deal of improvement” in the boy’s attendance record. The attendance rate is 79%, which does not include late attendances or truancy,” he said.
“We have tried to engage with the accused but, unfortunately, have been unable to contact her on a regular basis.
“The boy is 14 and it is absolutely imperative we get his attendance improved through third year so he can leave school with some qualifications.”
“WE HAVE engaged with the school and family support service and the report before the court shows the difficulty we have had with the child at school,” the council solicitor added.
“We can’t have the child truanting, going back home on his own, frequently arriving late at school and becoming verbally abusive to staff as well.”
Defence solicitor Jennifer Strachan said the accused had discussed matters regularly with the teenager and he had assured his mother things were going well.
“She hasn’t received messages or missed calls from the school,” he said.
“A financial penalty would not assist and given that the school year finishes this week, the new term may be an opportunity for a fresh start to see whether the attendance can be increased.”
Sheriff Pino Di Emidio said: “There is a constant theme of a lack of engagement between your client and the school.
“What we will be hoping to see is that once school recommences there is some sign of effort to engage with the school.”
He continued the case until September 25 for an update report on the youngster’s attendance record.