Attendance

Introduction

As part of Mersey View Academy Trust, Forefield Community Infant and Nursery School recognises that positive behaviour and good attendance are essential for pupils to get the most of their school experience, including their attainment, wellbeing and wider life chances.

The law entitles every child of compulsory school age to an efficient, full-time education suitable to their age, aptitude, and any special educational need they may have. It is the legal responsibility of every parent to make sure their child receives that education either by attendance at a school, or by education otherwise than at a school.

Where parents decide to have their child registered at school, they have an additional legal duty to ensure their child attends that school regularly and on time therefore having access to learning for the maximum number of days and hours. This means their child must attend every day that the school is open, except in a small number of allowable circumstances such as being too ill to attend or being given permission for an absence in advance from the school.

Government Updates

Attendance is important for a positive attitude to school and learning. Poor attendance has a negative impact not only on their academic progress but also on their friendships and their social skills.

Fines and 3 year rule

The single consistent national threshold for when a penalty notice must be considered by all schools in England is 10 sessions (usually equivalent to 5 school days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10 school week period. The 10 sessions of absence 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, school years or education settings.

Sanctions may include issuing each parent (for each child) with a Penalty Notice for £160, reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days (for the first offence). A second Penalty Notice issued within a three- year period will result in a fine of £160 per parent, per child. If a third offence is committed the matter may be referred to to the Local Authority for consideration of prosecution via the Magistrates Court. If prosecution is instigated for irregular school attendance, each parent may receive a fine of up to £2500 and/ or up to 3 months in prison. If a parent is found guilty in court, they will receive a criminal conviction.

Policy

Please find the Attendance Policy below if you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the school office and ask for a member of the Attendance Team (Mrs. Gilroy/ Mrs. Boardman and Miss. Edwards). The team will do their up most to offer and provide support to ensure that your child is in school.

We have also created our Policy on a Page poster so that you can see how our Attendance systems work at a glance.