EDUCATION bosses in Southampton have issued 100 penalty notices to parents of children who repeatedly fail to turn up to lessons without a good excuse since September.

Originally piloted in six city schools the punishment system has now been rolled out to all schools and means parents can face fines of up to £100, prosecution in court and the imposition of parenting orders.

Schools chiefs hope that their partnership with Thomas Cook travel agent to offer reduced priced getaways to families in school holiday time, introduced last year, will also prove a success.

Southampton City Council is also working with other local authorities that have a similar population profile to find out if there is anything that can be learned on improving attendance.

Primary schools with the worst rate of unauthorised absences, where a child misses school without an acceptable excuse or turns up late, were Mount Pleasant, Beechwood and Bevois Town.

Among special schools and secondaries the worst performing ones for absences were The Polygon pupil referral unit, Cantell and Oaklands Community.