School ‘insults parents’ after late term start

Parents have reacted with anger after a primary school sent "insulting" letters warning of pupils' poor attendance ­— after the school had shut for a week because of building work.

About 800 pupils at Fielding Primary School in Ealing missed a week's lessons in September because classrooms being constructed over the summer were not ready for the start of term.

The letters warned of possible legal action and fines for "unauthorised absences" after attendance rates fell below the expected 95 per cent.

Janet Taylor, whose four-year-old Madeleine had four days off sick, said the letters were unfair as pupils did not have the chance to record good attendance when the school shut. Fielding Primary School did not comment.