A school has replaced £160 truancy fines with education awareness courses for parents in a bid to tackle high numbers of children regularly missing lessons.

Netley Primary School in Camden, North London, is asking parents at risk of getting a fixed penalty notice to attend four sessions about the risks of persistent absence.

Headteacher Gareth Morris said his ’empathetic’ approach was inspired by speed awareness courses offered to motorists as an educational alternative to fines.

Read more: School replaces truancy fines with ‘attendance awareness courses’ for parents