Parents in Nottingham could face fines if their children do not return to school in September, the council has confirmed.
It comes as the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, said parents would have no choice but to send their kids back to school at the start of the new term.
Appearing on Sky News on July 20, he said: “We are making schools compulsory. We know how important it is for our children to be going back to school.
“We’ve made it clear that it is compulsory - parents need to be sending their children back to school.
“Ultimately if they continue to ignore the fact that their children should be in schools, if they continue to fail to work with the schools to get their children back well then at the most extreme level they could be liable to a fine.”
Leader of Nottingham City Council, councillor David Mellen, said fines for non-attendance "would be an absolute last resort" but added that the council recognises "attendance is compulsory" and will be supporting pupils to get back to the classroom.
The decision on whether to impose a fine comes down to individual schools, but council's will issue then issue it.
Councillor Mellen also expressed concern over the guidance from the Government to help schools prepare for September regarding social distancing and other restrictions.
Councillor David Mellen, who is also Portfolio Holder for Schools, said: “We’re extremely proud of the efforts that parents have made during the Covid lockdown. This has been an unprecedented time but, with the support of class teachers, they have stepped into the home-school role admirably around their own jobs and commitments.
“We recognise the instruction from Government that all schools will reopen in September and that attendance is compulsory. We have been working hard with schools over the past few months to help headteachers plan to reopen fully, and safely, in the autumn.
“The council is ambitious for all children and we will continue supporting schools and academies as the situation evolves to ensure pupils are supported to attend. As ever, fining parents for non-attendance of their children would be an absolute last resort and we would help schools to resolve any issues or anxieties before things reached that point.
“However, headteachers need much clearer guidance from the Government as they look to make operational changes within social-distancing regulations. We need to know what sort of restrictions will be in place for the start of the new term, which is now less than two months away.”
Since schools across the country reopened to more children, parents have not faced fines for choosing not to send their youngsters in.
Currently, only reception, year one and year six children have been allowed to return, along with children of key workers.
Some year 10 and year 12 students have also been able to have contact with teachers since June 15.
The Government had to abandon hopes of getting all children back in school before the summer, as social distancing meant there was not enough space in all schools.
Nottingham City Council had initially backed the plan for primary school children to return on June 1, as guided by the Government, but in a last-minute U-turn on May 29, the council announced that it was too soon.
Following discussions, the council then advised primary schools on a gradual increase in year 6 pupils for the remainder of the summer term.
It has also supported the decision not to fine parents for non-attendance during the pandemic.
Nottinghamshire County Council said it will be also providing support to families as children head back in September, explaining again that non-attendance fines would be down to each school to decide.
Councillor Philip Owen, Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Children and Young people’s Committee, said: “I am confident that schools across the county will be well prepared for the start of the new school term in September. Teachers and school staff have been working hard to ensure the safety of pupils, families and communities, and they deserve our thanks for the excellent job they have been doing.
“We will continue to work with schools all over Nottinghamshire to provide support, doing all we can to help them get ready for the autumn. The latest government guidance also provides essential advice.
“The decision about whether to issue fines for non-attendance is a matter for each school, not the County Council. Parents can be assured that all appropriate measures will be in place, and that we will be helping those families who need additional support.”
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