Attendance

Ensuring your child has access to a good education is very important. A key part of this is for all children and young people to regularly attend school, as this gives each learner the best chance to achieve their full potential. Penalty Notice for leave of absence (holiday) in term time Any period of unauthorised leave may result in a parent receiving a penalty notice fine. The head teacher is the only person able to authorise leave in term time, but this can apply only in exceptional circumstances. Any unauthorised absence will be referred by your head teacher to the local authority.

Penalty Notice for persistent lateness

A pupil has to have 10 late marks, and these marks do not have to be one after the other in order for the penalty notice to be issued. You are therefore encouraged where possible to ensure your child attends school on time. However, if your child is late you must inform the school of the reason(s) why, as they may be able to offer you some form of advice or support.

Period of time used to measure persistent absence and lateness

If your child has had 10 days unauthorised absence or is late 10 times over a twelve week period, you may receive a penalty warning notice and also potentially a fine.

Further details, and a copy of the revised Code of Conduct for issuing Penalty Notices, can be obtained from the council’s website: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Education/Education-welfare/Attendance.aspx

The vast majority of children and young people in Staffordshire have an excellent record of school attendance, and Staffordshire Local Authority recognises the efforts of so many parents to ensure their children attend school regularly. The Local Authority will take appropriate action for absences during term time, to ensure local children can continue to achieve the best possible outcomes from attending local schools.

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