Courts have fined 11 guardians for failing to ensure that pupils attended school in Bolton.

The fines were given out for lack of attendance at schools in the borough between July 2022 and February this year.

The cases called at Tameside Magistrates' Court.

The majority of fines were given out to guardians of pupils at primary schools in Bolton.

Two guardians from Bishop Bridgeman Primary School, Great Lever, were penalised for failing to ensure children attended there.

They were both fined £91 for the offence.

Two guardians of youngsters at St Bede’s Primary Academy, Great Lever, were also penalised.

They were both fined £220 for the lack of attendance at school.

Two guardians of pupils at Queensbridge Primary School, Farnworth, were also reported.

They were both fined £220.

One guardian with a child at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Halliwell, was penalised and received a fine of £220.

And a guardian with a youngster at Holy Infant and St Anthony RC Primary School, Astley Bridge, was penalised and given a fine of £40.

Among the secondary schools to have a guardian penalised for lack of attendance at Smithills School.

The guardian was given a fine of £40.

Bolton St Catherine’s Academy in Breightmet also reported one guardian and this also resulted in a fine of £40.

Thornleigh Salesian College also penalised one guardian and this also led to a fight of £40.

The council confirmed that fines were only given out as a last resort.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “Regular school attendance is vital for children’s learning and development.

“Shortly before the pandemic, we lowered the threshold for issuing a penalty notice for unauthorised absences from 10 days to five, bringing us in line with the majority of other areas.

“Bolton has better attendance rates than the England average and of our statistical neighbours.

“We work constructively with schools and families to address attendance issues and fines are only used as a last resort.”