Daily roundup 3 July: School fines; vagina surgery, and unregistered faith schools

Parents could face fines and community service sentences if their children are late for school. The Sunday Times reports that schools in England and Wales have warned parents that they have extended a system of fixed penalty notices to cover persistent lateness as well as unauthorised absences. West Sussex County Council said that its schools would issue fines of £120 per parent per child for "persistent late arrival at school after the register has been taken".


Girls as young as nine are seeking surgery on their genitals because they are distressed by their vagina's appearance, it has been claimed. The BBC reports that Dr Naomi Crouch, a leading adolescent gynaecologist, said she was concerned GPs were referring rising numbers of young girls who wanted an operation on their vagina.


Thousands of children are at risk in unregistered faith schools, the new chief inspector of Ofsted has warned. The Sunday Times reports that Amanda Spielman has called for new laws and powers to protect children. she said "weaknesses in current legislation" allow some organisations to teach school-aged children religious texts full-time, and avoid proper scrutiny.


Children as young as four attended health services for eating disorders in Wales last year, new figures show. The BBC reports that at least one four-year-old girl and at least one five-year-old boy attended child and adolescent mental health services for unspecified eating disorders in south Wales in 2015/16. Charity Beat said disorders "can affect anyone, regardless of age".


The City of London Corporation has been named as the best academy sponsor in the country for empowering pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to perform above the national average. Analysis published by the Sutton Trust today also named the City Corporation as the UK's leading academy sponsor for pupil progress and achievement.