A REDDITCH school has been forced to take families to court in its battle against truancy, writes Becky Procter.

Arrow Vale Community High School has 10 times the average truancy rate in the county.

The level is the worst in Worcestershire, having risen from 3.3 per cent of half-day sessions missed last year to 5.1 per cent this year. The county average is 0.42 per cent.

And this is despite urgent action plans and strict measures by headteacher Chris Leach at the 1,000-pupil school.

Mr Leach said: "A number of families have been taken to court but part of the difficulty is we're not getting the support from magistrates in terms of fining.

"An average fine for somebody who refuses to send their child to school for six months to a year is £30."

Mr Leach believes the problem needs to be tackled by the community.

He is looking at the curriculum to see whether there are enough options to encourage children to come to school.

Mr Leach stressed there were a high number of pupils with 100 per cent attendance rates.