- 01908 610561
- office@cedars.milton-keynes.sch.uk
As you may already be aware, the Government have introduced new legal procedures in regard to school attendance and penalty notices, which came into force on 19th August 2024. We would like to provide an overview and further information regarding these new Department for Education (DfE) guidelines that we have to adhere to.
The importance of good attendance
School attendance matters. It is arguably one of the most important indicators of academic success. You cannot learn when you are not in school to learn. Good attendance is a learnt behaviour and good patterns of attendance should be encouraged from as early an age as possible.
Every moment in school counts and days missed add up quickly. Evidence shows that pupils who have good attendance enjoy better wellbeing and school performance than those who don’t.
The school day is split into two sessions – one session counts as a morning or an afternoon spent in school. There are only a few occasions where a child is allowed to miss school, such as illness, medical appointment or where the school has given permission because of an exceptional circumstance.
Parent’s legal responsibility
All parents have a legal obligation under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 to ensure that a child of compulsory school age receives a suitable full-time education.
Leave of Absence in term time
Schools are not allowed to authorise requests for children to be taken out of school during term time unless there are “exceptional circumstances”. The DfE states that anything to do with “relaxation and leisure” will not be seen as “exceptional circumstances”. This will include visiting relatives, or a holiday due to mental or physical illness issues.
For unauthorised term time leave, as well as for general absence, fines are now issued if there are 10 unauthorised sessions in 10 school weeks. The time taken doesn’t need to be consecutive as was previously the case. If leave is taken which is not authorised by the school, the matter will be referred to the Local Authority for a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).
FPN’s are issued to each parent and are for each child. A FPN is £80 if paid within 21 days, and £160 if paid between 22 and 28 days. If the fine is not paid within this time, parents will be prosecuted in the magistrates’ court and could receive a fine of up to £1000 per parent per child and a criminal record.
If a second period of leave is taken within 3 years (same parent/child) then the fine will start at £160 payable in 28 days. If there is a third offence within this 3 year period (same parent/child) then the matter will be prosecuted in the magistrates’ court.
As a school we are required to follow these procedures. It is the responsibility of the Local Authority to decide when to issues fines to parents.
There are 190 statutory school days a year. There are 175 other days (weekends and school holidays) available which would not have a negative effect on your child’s education. By taking your child out of school for a leave of absence you may be giving them an unspoken message that school does not matter.
Some children may find it difficult to renew friendships with other pupils when they return to school. 10 days leave of absence is 50 hours of missed education.
Our aim is to work together with parents to ensure that all children at Cedars Primary School have good attendance and receive a suitable full-time education.