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Newbold and Tredington C of E Primary School & Day Nursery

Newbold and Tredington

C of E Primary School and Day Nursery

Creating a chance to SHINE everyday

Attendance at Newbold and Tredington

PUNCTUALITY

School starts promptly at 9am.  The doors/gate to both sites of the school will be opened by staff 8.40am.  If a child arrives at school after 9am without prior arrangements having been agreed, he/she will be deemed late. Registers close at 9.15am and arrival at school after this time, without prior approval or extenuating circumstances, will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

The Supreme Court recently reached a decision in the case of Platt v Isle of Wight Council which has clarified the law on unauthorised leave, including holidays, during term time. The parents of children of compulsory school age are required to ensure that they attend school on a regular basis. The Supreme Court has made clear that attending school ‘regularly’ means that the children must attend school on every day that they are required to do so. As such, the parents of any child who is absent from school without authorisation for any length of time are likely to be considered as committing an offence under s444 of the Education Act 1996.

Headteachers retain the ability to authorise leave in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. When considering such requests for a leave of absence, the school are obliged to act within the law. Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances relating to the application. If the leave is granted, Headteachers are able to determine the number of school days a child can be absent for. 

It is for the Headteacher to decide what is ‘exceptional’ and it is at their discretion if the circumstances warrant the leave to be granted. The school can only consider Leave of Absence requests which are made by the ‘resident’ parent.

Each application for a leave of absence will be considered on a case by case basis and on its own merits.

Below are some examples of Leave of Absence requests which will not be authorised:

  • Availability of cheaper holidays.
  • Availability of cheaper holidays.
  • Availability of desired accommodation.
  • Poor weather experienced in school holidays. 
  • Overlap with beginning or end of term.
  • Booked the wrong dates by mistake.
  • Booked by another family member.
  • Attending a wedding that is not immediate family.
  • Family birthdays.
  • Unable to take a holiday in school holidays due to work commitments.
  • Adult appointments affecting bringing a child to school or collecting on time.
  • Different term dates for children at schools in another local authority.  

Where applications for leave of absence are made in advance and refused, the child will be required to be in school on the dates set out in the application. If the child is absent during that period, it will be recorded as an unauthorised absence, which may result in legal action being taken against the parent(s), by way of a Fixed Penalty Notice.

Failure to make an application for leave in advance can also result in a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued to the parent(s).  All matters of unauthorised absence relating to a Leave of Absence will be referred to the Warwickshire Attendance Service of Warwickshire County Council.

It is important to note, Fixed Penalty Notices are issued to each parent of each absent child, (for example 2 children and 2 parents, means each parent will receive 2 invoices in the amount of £120 each, totalling £240 for both children, this is reduced to £60 per child if paid within 21 days).

Where a Fixed Penalty Notice is not paid within the required timeframe as set out on the notice, the matter will be referred to Warwickshire County Council’s Legal Services to consider instigating criminal proceedings under S444 Education Act 1996.

Fixed Penalty Notices are issued in accordance with Warwickshire County Council’s Code of Conduct for Penalty Notices.

Your child’s progress academically as well as socially is our shared priority.  Warwickshire Primary School pupils recorded 29,703 half day sessions of absence due to holiday in the Autumn/Spring term during the academic year 2017/18. This is an increase of 6,256 on the previous year.

WAS ATTENDANCE

The Warwickshire Attendance Service was launched for Warwickshire Schools in April 2013.  Children whose attendance is below 85% for 6 weeks will be referred to the WAS team (except for special circumstances, e.g. child in hospital).  

Targets will be set over a 10 week period and if they are not met the WAS team will prosecute families using a financial penalty notice process and also Section 444 (1 &1A) under the Education Act 1996.

Persistent absence is deemed when attendance is 90 or below%. 

Some facts:

  • There are 190 school days each year and 175 other days for shopping trips, birthday treats, non urgent appointments and holidays.
  • One day a week absence is the equivalent over a school career of 2.5 whole years of education missed.
  • 10 days holiday leave a year is the equivalent of two whole terms of education missed.
  • 15 minutes of lateness a day equals one whole year of education missed.

 

Please give your child the best chance and make sure they are in school every day.  

Children with an attendance level under 90% at Newbold and Tredington C of E  Primary School is deemed as persistent absence and unacceptable.  

EVERY LESSON COUNTS!

THE SCHOOL TARGET THIS YEAR IS 96% ATTENDANCE FOR ALL PUPILS.

Your child’s progress academically as well as socially is our shared priority.