Head teachers should have the power to FINE ‘feckless’ parents who fail to give their children books to read, says Ofsted chief

Head teachers should be able to fine ‘feckless’ parents for refusing to come to parents’ evening or failing to supply books, according to the Chief Inspector of Schools.

Sir Michael Wilshaw said he would ‘love to have the legal backing’ to allow teachers to punish parents who were ‘not supporting’ their childrens’ schools.

Speaking at a Sutton Trust summit in London, the head of Ofsted said parents could sometimes be a challenge for schools trying to help deprived pupils.

But while many poorer families are doing their ‘very, very best’ to help their children’s teachers, some parents shirked responsibility, he said.

Sir Michael added that he took a no-nonsense approach when he worked as a head teacher, and encouraged others to do the same.

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