SEVERAL parents of children at a school in Prestatyn have been issued fines by the council because of their children's poor attendance.

In a letter to parents and carers, Prestatyn High School headteacher Neil Foley said school attendance was still below pre-Covid 19 pandemic figures.

The letter said Denbighshire County Council had already issued fines to several parents because of their poor attendance.

Mr Foley appealed to parents to support the school and their children and ensure their children attended and were on time.

The letter stated: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support over this matter so far this year.

"We are currently looking at all systems and processes alongside the local authority to make sure that we can do what we can to improve our attendance.

"This year, our whole school attendance rate is still lower than pre-pandemic years and we as a whole community must do what we can to get back to where we were before COVID.

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"The issue of school attendance has gained significant media coverage in recent months and it is a concern for the whole of the UK.

"Good attendance is so important for the life chances of young people that we will stop at nothing to continue to improve it further.

"In terms of punctuality, persistently late pupils will continue to be sanctioned and phone calls made home.

"I appeal to all parents and carers to support your children, support the school, and make sure all pupils are in school on time unless there is a very good reason for absence.

"The local authority has issued several fines to the parents of our poorest attenders - poor attendance to school will harm the chances of your children later on in life."

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “The council works closely with our schools to support families with the management of pupil attendance and absences.

"Parents have a legal responsibility to make sure their child attends school.

"If a child consistently misses school without acceptable reasons, the school and the local authority will work supportively with the family to engage and improve attendance.

"Where attendance is a significant concern and the supportive work has not led to the desired improvement, parents can be fined or prosecuted through the courts."