Attendance
We want every child to feel safe, settled and ready to learn. Being in school every day helps children build routines, make friends and grow in confidence. If attendance is becoming a struggle, please talk to us, we are here to help.
If you’re not sure if your child is well enough to come to school, check the NHS Guidance for common illnesses and let us know as soon as possible if they need to stay home.
Leave of absence request
The ‘Working Together to Improve School Attendance Guidance 2024’, and ‘School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024’ identifies that Head Teachers cannot routinely authorise a leave of absence unless there are exceptional circumstances.
The school is required to inform the Education Welfare Service of any periods of unauthorised absence from school. In line with the National Framework for Penalty Notices, the Education Welfare Service have a duty to issue Penalty Notices in respect of the period of unauthorised leave of absence.
Please be advised that there is no formal appeal process if a leave of absence is not agreed.
• Penalty notices are £80 per parent, per child. If the notice remains unpaid after 21 days the penalty increases to £160 per parent, per child. If the notice remains unpaid after 28 days the Local Authority may commence proceedings under section 444(1) of the 1996 Education Act in the Magistrates’ Court.
• If a 2nd Penalty Notice for leave of absence is issued to the same parent for the same child within a rolling 3-year period, the fine is £160 with no option to pay the lower rate of £80.
• There is a limit of 2 penalty notices issued for leave of absence to the same parent for the same child within a 3-year rolling period.
• Unauthorised leave of absences for a 3rd time in a rolling 3-year period will not be issued with a Penalty Notice but result in a magistrates court hearing and potential prosecution. If found guilty a potential fine may be issued to each parent of up to £1000 per parent.
The school is required to inform the Education Welfare Service of any periods of unauthorised absence from school. In line with the National Framework for Penalty Notices, the Education Welfare Service have a duty to issue Penalty Notices in respect of the period of unauthorised leave of absence.
Please be advised that there is no formal appeal process if a leave of absence is not agreed.
• Penalty notices are £80 per parent, per child. If the notice remains unpaid after 21 days the penalty increases to £160 per parent, per child. If the notice remains unpaid after 28 days the Local Authority may commence proceedings under section 444(1) of the 1996 Education Act in the Magistrates’ Court.
• If a 2nd Penalty Notice for leave of absence is issued to the same parent for the same child within a rolling 3-year period, the fine is £160 with no option to pay the lower rate of £80.
• There is a limit of 2 penalty notices issued for leave of absence to the same parent for the same child within a 3-year rolling period.
• Unauthorised leave of absences for a 3rd time in a rolling 3-year period will not be issued with a Penalty Notice but result in a magistrates court hearing and potential prosecution. If found guilty a potential fine may be issued to each parent of up to £1000 per parent.