What the percentages really mean

100% – 97%

You are doing really well and we are very pleased with your Attendance.

96% – 93%

This is good but below our school target and we would like to see an improvement.

92% – 90%

Your attendance is starting to make us worry.

Your attendance will be monitored and we would expect to see an improvement.

90% and below

This is called Persistent Absenteeism and may be stopping you from being the best that you can be.

Your parents/carers will be written to and will be invited into school for a meeting with Mr Cooper and Mrs Davison. 

Holidays during school time

These really damage your attendance. Mr Cooper will not be able to authorise any holidays in school time and a fine may be issued by the LA.

Leave of Absence

Amendments to the 2006 regulations came into force on 1st September 2013. They removed references to family holidays and extended leave as well as the threshold of 10 days. The amendments make clear that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Headteachers should determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted.

National Framework for Penalty Notices came into force on 19th August 2024. In order to ensure a consistent approach to school attendance enforcement the national framework for penalty notices for school absence specifies the following:

Penalty Notice Threshold

The threshold at which a penalty notice must be considered is set at 10 sessions (equivalent to 5 days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10-school week period. This may include absences as a result of arriving late after the register closes. The sessions of unauthorised absence do not have to be consecutive. The 10 school weeks may span different terms or school years.

Penalty Notice Threshold

Penalty notices are issued at £160 per parent per child and should be paid within 28 days. They can be paid at £80 if paid within 21 days. Any second penalty notice issued to the same parent for the same child within a rolling 3-year period will be issued at a higher rate of £160 to be paid within 28 days with no option for a discounted rate.

If you do need to take your child out of school during term time you must complete a 'Request for Leave of Absence Form (this can be downloaded from within the policy below, or collected from our school office.