Truancy from school

Truancy is when a pupil does not go to school and their parents do not know about it. 

It is also when the pupil leaves school after registration and without permission.

This is recorded by schools as an ‘unauthorised absence’.

If you think your child might be truanting from school, contact one of the following staff:

• class teacher
• head of year
• headteacher

They can work with you and your child to find out why they're not attending. If necessary, they can involve Southwark's integrated child support service.

If you think a child is missing from education because they do not have a school place, or are not getting any kind of education, contact us by calling 020 7525 5768, or emailing cme@southwark.gov.uk.
You can also message the Pupil Tracking and Licensing Team.
 

Truancy patrols

We make truancy patrols across Southwark with the Metropolitan Police. Pupils who are found truanting are taken to either:

• school 
• a designated place of safety until someone can collect them

If the young person is with an adult, they may also be stopped and asked to confirm why the young person is not at school. An early help education welfare officer will follow this up.

Prosecution

Parents will be prosecuted if:

• their child does not go to school 
• they refuse to cooperate with the school or child support service

Prosecution means an appearance in a magistrates' court, a criminal record and a fine of up to £2,500 or up to 3 months in prison.