Absence from School Form

You are required under the Education Act (1996) to ensure your child attends school regularly. There is no longer a provision in law for Headteachers to authorise an absence, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Family holidays and/or family celebrations are not considered to be exceptional circumstances. 

For absence related to medical appointments, a copy of the confirmation of appointment message is required for absence to be authorised.

For absence related to illness, please provide brief details within the text area.

If your request is for a family holiday or other extended family break it will be registered as unauthorised absence.

National Threshold 
There is a national threshold across all schools in England for when a penalty notice must be considered. This is 10 sessions (a school day is 2 sessions - morning and afternoon) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10 school week period. These sessions do not have to be consecutive and can be made up of a combination of any type of unauthorised absence. The 10-school week period can span different terms or school years. For example, 2 sessions of unauthorised absence in the summer term and a further 8 within the autumn term.

First Offence 
The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for unauthorised absence the amount will be: £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days. Increasing to £160 per parent, per child if paid within 28 days. Any non-payment of the Penalty Notice may be referred to the Magistrates Court. 

Second Offence (within a rolling 3 year period)
The Second time a Penalty Notice is issued for unauthorised absence the amount will be: £160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days. Any non-payment of the Penalty Notice may be referred to the Magistrates Court

 Third Offence and Any Further Offences (within a rolling 3 year period) 
The third time an offence is committed a Penalty Notice will not be issued and the case could be presented straight to the Magistrate’s Court. Prosecution under s444 (1) Education Act 1996, where if convicted you may be fined up to £1,000 or prosecution under s444 (1) (a) Education Act 1996 where if convicted you may be fined up to £2,500 and/or 3 months’ imprisonment.”

Support and guidance on attendance is always available and if you have any questions about this, or if you need help to achieve an improvement, please contact the school to discuss this.