Dear Parent/Carer,
As we’re sure you appreciate, regular school attendance is essential if your child is to maximise their educational opportunities. Interruptions in school attendance disrupt continuity of learning and have a negative impact on attainment.
It is the school’s responsibility to provide the best education possible. We can only do this if your child/ren attend regularly.
From 1 September 2013, the new law gives no entitlement to parents to take their child on holiday during term time. Any application for leave must only be in exceptional circumstances and the Headteacher must be satisfied that the circumstances are exceptional and warrant the granting of leave. The Headteacher would not be expected to class any term time holiday as exceptional. Parents can be fined by the Local Authority for taking their child on holiday during term time without consent from school.
Additionally
- All requests must be in writing on the Application Form for Leave of Absence in Term Time, available from the school office
- Requests must be made at the earliest opportunity
- Absences where permission has not been sought and retrospective applications will not be authorised
Please find below important information from the local Authority that we are required to share with all parents concerning absence from school/college. It is for information only and outlines the actions that could be taken against parents/carers regarding attendance.
Penalty Notices for Non-school attendance:
Section 444(1) of the Education Act 1996 empowers the Local Authority to issue Penalty Notices for failure to ensure regular school attendance. Parents or carers who take their children out of school in term time without school’s permission or are late returning from an extended leave of absence may receive a Penalty Notice fine of £60 per parent, per child, which must be paid within 21 days. If payment is made after 21 days but before 28 days, the penalty is increased to £120. Where a fine remains unpaid after 28 days, the matter will be referred for prosecution in the Magistrates Court.
In law, an offence occurs if a parent or carer fails to secure a child’s regular attendance at school. Tameside Education Welfare Service, in conjunction with schools and Greater Manchester Police, will use these powers as an early deterrent to prevent patterns of unauthorised absence developing.
Parents may also receive a Penalty Notice without a warning letter for the offence of failing to secure regular school attendance for the following reasons:
- If their child is stopped on a truancy sweep more than once
- If they go on holiday in term time without school’s permission or are late returning from an extended holiday
- If they have not co-operated with the Education Welfare Service following a referral from school after they have taken steps to address the absences with the parent/carer and pupil
- If their child fails to return to school following a fixed term exclusion
The Education and Inspections Act 2006 also makes it an offence if a parent fails to ensure that their child is not in a public place during the first 5 days of a fixed term or permanent exclusion. Penalty Notices may be issued in relation to this matter.
Penalty Notice Information Sept 2019
The Local Authority and schools are committed to providing the best possible future for your child. If you have concerns about your child’s attendance at school or if you are experiencing any difficulties, contact the school and ask for help. Support is also available from the Education Welfare Service on Telephone: 0161 342 2290.
Please click below to go to the Holiday Dates page:-