School Attendance
Regular school attendance is vital for the attainment of pupils and their wellbeing and any absence can impact on a child’s long-term learning outcomes.
In the DfE policy document entitled, ‘Working Together to Improve School Attendance’ (2024) it states ‘‘Head teachers should not grant leave of absence unless there are exceptional circumstances.’’
If you are considering taking your child out of school during term time, please complete a Leave of Absence form (available from the office).
The application must be made in advance and the head teacher must be satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances based on the individual facts and circumstances of the case which warrant the leave. Holidays will not be authorised under any circumstances.
Other absences, due to illness (where the school has received timely notification) are unavoidable and therefore classed as authorised in practically all cases.
The Local Authority operates a system where any pupil will meet the criteria for legal intervention where they have:
- 10 consecutive sessions (5 days) of unauthorised absence where some or all of the absence may be attributed to an unauthorised holiday in term time (for absences from 1 September 2024); or
where parents have failed to ensure that their child of compulsory school age regularly attends the school that they are registered in. This can include being persistently late.
This legal intervention could be in the form of a Fixed Penalty Notice. Any pupil who meets the criteria, will be referred to the Local Authority for action to be considered.
If a Fixed Penalty Notice is issued by the Local Authority, there will be a fine of £160, per parent, per child paid within 28 days. This is reduced to £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days.
A second offence (within 3 years) will see a Penalty Notice issued and the amount to be paid will be £160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days.
A third offence could see the case presented to the Magistrate's Court and prosecution can result in fines of up to £2500.
Letters are available on the 'letters page 2024-25' with further information.
Educational Welfare Officer
We have an Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) who can be called upon to provide support for staff and parents, especially when there are anxieties about the child’s well-being. Our EWO will visit school regularly each half term to monitor attendance, and should a problem with low attendance be noted, the family may be contacted. The EWO will be taking particular note of unauthorised absence and a Fixed Penalty Notice may be implemented should more than 10 sessions (5 days) unauthorised absence be recorded over a 10 week period. Please contact either the office or the EWO for further information.
Low attendance will automatically prompt a first letter reminding you about the importance of attendance and possible action from the Education Welfare Officer. At a second stage you will be requested to meet with the Headteacher.