Attendance and Absence

We understand that sometimes absences are unavoidable due to ill health or other circumstances. While we appreciate you providing documentation for these absences, it's important to remember that all absences, even those with medical notes, will still have an impact on your child's overall attendance. Our goal is to work with you to maximise your child's time in the school.

We carefully monitor each child's attendance, and if an absence is unexplained, we'll reach out to you. If your child's attendance dips to a concerning level, please know that we're here to support you. We'll contact you directly to discuss how we can work together to improve attendance and ensure your child gets the most out of their education.

At Outwood Academy City Fields, we are deeply committed to your child's success and well-being. We know that consistent attendance is vital for them to thrive academically and socially, benefiting from every learning opportunity and building strong connections with their peers. We truly value our partnership with you, as parents and carers, in helping your child achieve their full potential.

We understand that sometimes family circumstances arise that might lead you to consider taking your child out of school during term time. However, it's very important to be aware of the legal framework surrounding school attendance and term-time leave.

The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006, as amended in September 2013, state clearly that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.

There is a common misunderstanding that children are allowed to take up to 10 days of holiday per year. This is not true. The government strongly advises all parents and carers to avoid taking children out of school for family holidays, as this can significantly disrupt their education and impact their progress.

Please be aware that absences will not be authorised for reasons such as:

• Shopping for uniform
• Celebrations like birthdays
• Day trips or short weekends away
• Or similar non-exceptional circumstances.

Only truly exceptional circumstances warrant an authorised leave of absence.

If you believe there are exceptional circumstances that require your child to be absent from school, we ask that you make a request in writing to our attendance team 4 weeks in advance. All requests are considered individually, taking into account the specific details and circumstances. This same process applies to requests for compassionate leave, special family events, or participation in sporting or musical competitions.

It is important to be aware that unauthorised absences during term time, including unapproved holidays, may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) issued by the Local Authority. We are required to follow the national framework for FPNs, and these notices can carry a significant financial penalty. Our aim is always to work with families to prevent this, and open communication is key.

We are here to support you in ensuring your child maintains excellent attendance. Please do not hesitate to contact our attendance team if you have any questions or wish to discuss individual circumstances before making any arrangements.

To ensure your child's safety and well-being, and to support their learning journey, our school has a clear daily absence procedure. If your child is not in school and we have not been notified of the reason for their absence, we will make contact to offer support and understand the reason for absence.

This procedure may include a phone call, a text message, an email or, in some cases, a home visit. We will make this contact daily for every absence, even if your child was ill the previous day. This is a crucial part of our safeguarding responsibility, as we cannot assume a child is still unwell without an update from you. Our goal is to ensure that every student is safe and well, and that they get the support they need to maintain their learning journey.

We understand that sometimes ensuring high attendance can be challenging, but it's important to remember that parents and carers have a legal duty to ensure their child attends school regularly. This duty is outlined in the Education Act 1996. We are here to support you in fulfilling this responsibility.

A child is defined as a 'Persistent Absentee' if they miss 10% or more of school. This might sound like a small percentage, but it equates to a significant amount of lost learning time over a school year. This is a serious concern because missed lessons and experiences are often difficult to catch up on, potentially leaving children at a considerable disadvantage.

We closely monitor every child's attendance. If we see that a child's attendance is becoming problematic or falls into the 'Persistent Absentee' category, our first step is always to contact you. We want to work together to understand any challenges you might be facing and explore how we can provide support. We can make a referral to supporting agencies, who are also there to offer guidance and assistance.

Legal Framework and Consequences

It's important for all parents and carers to be aware that the local authority has a legal duty and powers to enforce school attendance where necessary. This includes the ability to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) or, in more serious cases, initiate legal prosecution.

To reflect the government's commitment to improving attendance nationally, there have been recent updates to the FPN system, coming into force from August 2024:

Increased Penalty Amounts:The amount for an FPN is now £80 if paid within 21 days, increasing to £160 if paid between 21 and 28 days. This means the penalty is higher than it was previously, reflecting the seriousness of unauthorised absence.

National Framework:These new FPN amounts and the conditions for their issue are part of a national framework, ensuring consistency across the country. An FPN is an alternative to prosecution for parents or carers who fail to ensure a child's regular attendance.

Failure to Pay:It is crucial to understand that failure to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice can result in prosecution in the Magistrates' Court.

Court Prosecution:In cases of severe or persistent unauthorised absence, the local authority retains the power to prosecute parents or carers under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996. If found guilty, this can lead to a significant fine of up to £2,500 and/or a term of imprisonment of up to three months.

Our priority is always to support families and prevent the need for legal action. We believe that by working together, we can ensure your child attends school regularly, giving them every opportunity to succeed. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or need to discuss your child's attendance.