For all of our children to achieve their full learning potential, they need a high level of attendance.

Please help us to maximise your child’s potential by ensuring that if your child has only a minor cold, they still attend school.

If you are unsure of when children should be kept home from school, please use this NHS guide to help you. Is my child too ill for school?

As parents, you have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that your child attends school. In extreme cases, if you fail to do so, legal enforcement action can be taken against you, which could ultimately result in you being prosecuted.

Attendance patterns established at primary age set children up for their time in education and any breaks to this can instll poor habits and lead to issues with truancy as they get older. Any absence needs to be for a valid reason so as not to confuse children from their legal expectation to attend school.

From 19 August 2024, changes to school attendance penalty notices will come into effect under the new National Framework. Penalty fines of £160 per parent, per child (reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days) will be issued for unauthorised absences of 5 consecutive days (10 sessions) or more in a 10-week period.

A second offence within three years will result in the same fine. For a third offence or further offences, cases may be referred to the Magistrates’ Court, where fines can reach up to £2,500 per parent, per child, alongside a possible criminal record. Additionally, unauthorised absences amounting to 10 sessions in a 10-week period may trigger a 20-day “Notice to Improve.”

Parents should avoid term time holidays and ensure any absences are for a valid, authorised reason to avoid these consequences.