Pupil Attendance

Holidays in term time

You have to get permission from the head teacher if you want to take your child out of school during term time.

You can only do this if:

• you make an application to the head teacher in advance (as a parent the child normally lives with)
• there are exceptional circumstances

If you would like to remove your child from school for a set period of time, please download the below application of leave form and return it to the school office.

You can be fined for taking your child on holiday during term time without the school’s permission.

Absence from school

If your child is absent from school, please telephone the school office before 9:00am, on each morning of absence, to let us know the situation.

You can only allow your child to miss school if either:

• they’re too ill to go in
• you’ve got advance permission from the school

Help with getting your child to go to school

If you’re having trouble getting your child to go to school, the school and local council can help.

The school will discuss attendance problems with you and should agree a plan with you to improve your child’s attendance.

A lot of local councils have teams that help parents improve their child’s attendance at school. The council will tell you if they’re able to help. Forms of help could include:

• support to reduce the burden on children where families are in difficulty (for example if a child is spending a lot of time caring for someone)
• working with families and schools to overcome bullying and other serious problems
• a parenting contract

Parenting contract

This is a voluntary written agreement between you and either the local council or the school’s governing body. Between you, you agree to find ways to improve your child’s attendance.

If you refuse to make a contract or you do not stick to it, it can be used as evidence if the local council decides to prosecute you.

Legal action to enforce school attendance

Local councils and schools can use various legal powers if your child is missing school without a good reason. They can give you:

• a Parenting Order
• an Education Supervision Order
• a School Attendance Order
• a fine (sometimes known as a ‘penalty notice’)

You can be given one or more of these but the council does not have to do this before prosecuting you.

Parenting Order

This means you have to go to parenting classes. You’ll also have to do what the court says to improve your child’s school attendance.

Education Supervision Order

If the council thinks you need support getting your child to go to school but you’re not co-operating, they can apply to a court for an Education Supervision Order.

A supervisor will be appointed to help you get your child into education. The local council can do this instead of prosecuting you, or as well.

School Attendance Order

You’ll get a School Attendance Order if the local council thinks your child is not getting an education.

You have 15 days to provide evidence that you’ve registered your child with the school listed in the order or that you’re giving them home education. If you do not, you could be prosecuted or given a fine.

Fine

Your local council can give each parent a fine of £60, which rises to £120 each if you do not pay within 21 days. If you do not pay the fine after 28 days you may be prosecuted for your child’s absence from school.

Prosecution

You could get a fine of up to £2,500, a community order or a jail sentence up to 3 months. The court also gives you a Parenting Order.