Attendance
It is very important to us that your child attends school every day, on time, if they are able to do so. Regular attendance helps children to get the most out of their overall school experience, including their wellbeing, academic achievement, and future opportunities. We do of course understand that children get ill at times and that some will have greater medical needs than others and understand that they will need to be absent from time to time for this reason. We will always do our best to support in these instances and to help if there are barriers to good attendance.
Starting in September 2024, the Department for Education have implemented a new national framework, ensuring standardised rules for all parents, schools, and local authorities regarding school attendance.
Under the new guidance parent’s have a responsibility to:
- Ensure your child attends every day the school is open; except when a legal reason applies;
- Notify the school by 9am on any day when your child is unexpectedly absent;
- Book any medical appointments around the school day where possible;
- Only request leave of absence in exceptional circumstances and do so in advance (please note: family holidays are not generally considered exceptional circumstances)
In order to ensure all children and families are safe and well, if we don't hear from you on a day that your child is absent, we will call you to let you know that your child has registered as absent and to ask for the reason for this. If we are not able to make contact with you via phone calls and messages, then we will need to make a home visit to ensure everyone's safety. This forms part of our attendance policy and is our first day calling procedure.
If your child is absent without a valid reason, we must let you know that the local authority may intervene, and you could be issued a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) or be criminally prosecuted. Under the new framework, schools must consider enforcement action if a child/young person has 10 or more unauthorised absences (equivalent to five days).
While schools and local authorities will generally offer support to improve attendance first, persistent unauthorised absences or term-time holidays may result in an FPN or prosecution. From August 2024, the fine amounts will increase to £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days. If a second FPN is issued for the same child/young person within three years, the amount will be £160. Parent/carers can incur a maximum of two FPNs, per child/young person, within a three-year
period from the date of the first fine. If a third occasion is reached, further actions, such as a parenting order or prosecution, may be considered. Fines are issued separately to each parent.