COURT proceedings have encouraged a Bordon mother to send her truanting child to school, magistrates have heard.

Education officials told magistrates that as soon as court proceedings begun, the attendance rates of the teenager increased, sparking new hope that the constant truanting will stop.

At a hearing in Aldershot Magistrates Court last week, Hampshire County CouncilÕs education welfare officers told the court that the mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was brought to court as a last resort to try and ensure that her 13-year-old daughter attended school.

Magistrates were told that in the last academic year officials monitored the girlÕs attendance at her East Hampshire school. The figures showed that over a period of 144 school sessions she attended just 22 times Ð missing 122 days of school.

The appalling attendance record prompted officers to send a warning letter to the mother in March, informing her that she has a legal duty to make her daughter go to school.

This was followed by a letter inviting her to a special meeting to remedy the problem in April. But the mother never attended.

Then, in May, officers sent her a final warning letter, still to no avail. This forced officials to take court action.

An education welfare officer told magistrates: ÒThe reason for the girlÕs non-attendance was allegations of bullying and problems because of her familyÕs contacts in the community.

ÒThe school has dealt with the allegations of bullying.

ÒIn the schoolÕs opinion the girl is not reaching her full potential. When she is there she is finding it hard because of the time that she has missed. When the girl is in school she is also finding it hard to form relationships which may be another reason for her non-attendance.Ó

But the education officer told magistrates that since the court proceedings began, there had been a significant change.

He explained that since September, the girlÕs attendance record has significantly improved.

ÒThis academic year she has attended school more often than before, although it is not perfectÓ, the officer said. ÒThese proceedings have had an affect on the mother.Ó

After hearing the details the presiding magistrate said that she was encouraged by the progress that has been made.

ÒThings seem to be going well. The fact is that this case seems to have triggered something which is good.Ó

The mother was sentenced in her absence to a one year conditional discharge. She sent her apologies to the court stating that she was unable to attend the hearing due to child care commitments during half-term.

Hampshire County Council told The Herald that the road to court in truancy cases was a long one and that parents were only taken to court when nothing else has worked.

Spokeswoman Andrea Smith said: ÒWith repeat offenders, the pupil involved is identified by the school and their parents approached to find out what the cause of the problem is and try to solve it.

ÒThey do all sorts of things before the case is taken to court including writing letters to the parent, inviting them to meetings and warning them that if their child does not go to school they face court action.

ÒIt is very much a liaison between the parents and the school. It is quite a lengthy process and taking the matter to court is a last resort.Ó