🌟 EVERY DAY COUNTS 🌟

Children should attend school every day unless they are genuinely too unwell. Absence affects learning, wellbeing and long-term outcomes.

🛡️  ATTENDANCE = SAFEGUARDING

Schools must know where every child is. Unexplained absence is treated as a safeguarding concern.
If your child is absent for 3 days, the Senior Leadership Team may complete a home visit to ensure they are safe and well.

📣  YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Parents/carers must tell school the reason for any absence. If school has to contact you for a reason, the absence may still be recorded as unauthorised.

✈️  TERM-TIME HOLIDAYS

Family holidays cannot be authorised during term time. Leave can only be approved in exceptional circumstances and must be requested in advance.

⚖️  WHEN LEGAL ACTION CAN BE CONSIDERED

If your child reaches 10 unauthorised sessions (5 days) within a rolling 10-week period, the school may request a Penalty Notice from the Local Authority.

💷  GOVERNMENT-SET FINES

• Fines apply individually to each parent for each child.
• First offence: £80 if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 if paid within 28 days.
• Second offence (within 3 years): A flat rate of £160 immediately (no early-payment discount).
• Third offence / further absences: Can lead to prosecution in the Magistrates' Court, with potential fines up to £2,500 or a custodial sentence.

🔢  EXAMPLES: HOW 10 SESSIONS CAN BUILD UP

• 4 sessions of holiday + 6 late-after-register-closed sessions
• 10 sessions in one week = 5 days
• 6 sessions of holiday + 4 sessions of absence later = 5 days
• 4 sessions at end of term + 6 at start of next = 5 days
• Individual days adding up to 10 sessions within 10 weeks = 5 days