Boy kept away from school for 80 days, Appeal Court judge told

Boy kept away from school for 80 days, Appeal Court judge told

12 September 2012

AN appeal against a £250 fine imposed on a South Down man for his 13 year-old son not attending school has been dismissed.

The man, who cannot be named, was convicted earlier this year and the fine upheld at Downpatrick County Court last week

A lawyer representing the South Eastern Education and Library Board said the boy had missed 80 out of 81 school days.

She said the boy’s parents told his school that their son was unwell, but no medical notes were provided to back up the claim.

The lawyer added: “It appears to be a wilful refusal. The boy missed 174 of 177 school days the previous year when he was a student at another school.”

The hearing was told that the boy’s father said his son felt anxious and was worried at his new school, so he arranged for him to have an hour of home tuition each week.

Judge David Smith said it was up to the boy’s parents to ensure he attended school.

He told the boy’s father to make sure his son attends school this year adding: “I’m very concerned that he should receive a proper education.”