Hundreds of terrified parents were left panicking after a school wrongly reported their children were missing after accidentally sending them a bulk truancy text using its automated service.
On Monday, the parents of children at Wadebridge School in Cornwall received the text message saying their kids had not arrived for the day.
But when they frantically called the school they were told the message had been sent in error.
Despite the school's
initial claims there was an issue with its automated truancy service, it was
later confirmed that the message was sent after a mistake was made by those
operating the service.
Headteacher
Tina Yardley apologised to parents who received the text.
She said the
school uses electronic alerts if a child fails to arrive - but was 'completely
unaware' of the problem until messages started to flood in.
'We use the
'Truancy Call' system to send a text to the parent or carer to alert them to a
child being absent in the morning register,' she said.
'This will
always take place before 11am. Parents and carers then text back at various
points during the day to explain why.'
Ms Yardley
said that on Monday their attendance officer was trying to see if they had
received any new messages but instead sent a 'truancy text'.
Parents got
the message just after 2pm. Ms Yardley would not disclose what was in the
message but it is thought that it contained the child's name, said they were
absent from school and asked the parents to call or respond.
Staff were
only made aware of the mistake by children asking questions and parents calling
the office.
Although it
was initially claimed it was the fault of the automated truancy system, Ms
Yardley later said it was an 'administrative' issue.
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