Attendance: Notifying the school of Absences
For general absences please email attendance@tbgs.torbay.sch.uk or ring 01803 615501
There’s a clear link between poor attendance at school and low levels of achievement. Poor attendance can disrupt a student’s own learning and that of other students. It has a damaging effect on a child’s education and most of the work missed while a child is off school is never made up.
Students who attend school regularly are likely to leave school with more qualifications and increased access to employment opportunities than children with persistent absence. Children with persistent absence are at increased risk of involvement in crime, child exploitation and anti-social behaviour.
What is ‘Persistent Absence’?
A student is defined as a ‘Persistent Absentee’ if they miss approximately 10% or more of all possible school sessions, regardless of whether the absence is authorised or unauthorised.
What are the consequences of Persistent Absence?
Parents/carers have a legal duty to ensure their child who is of compulsory school age receives an efficient, full time education. Therefore if your child has no unauthorised absences and their attendance is at 96% or above, you are giving your child the best chance to achieve their potential.
If a parent or carer fails to secure their child’s regular attendance at school, they could be found guilty of a criminal offence under section 444 of the Education Act 1996 , unless the absence has been authorised by the school.
Why is there a law about poor school attendance?
The law is there to protect children who have poor school attendance. Unauthorised absence from school can be a cause for concern in relation to child welfare, safety and protection. Under the Education Act 1996, parents and carers have a legal duty to secure their child’s regular and punctual attendance at school.
As well as being a legal requirement, it also ensures your child has access to the best start in life and that they are able to benefit fully from the education they’re entitled to receive. Good attendance is vital in enabling students to maximise the opportunities available to them.
Useful Links:
Torbay Attendance Improvement Service
GOV.UK
Ìý AttendanceÌý & Lateness Policy
Ìý 24 – 25 Warning Letter Updated August 24
Ìý Torbay Penalty Notice Code of Conduct 2024-25
Key things to remember
- You can only allow your child to miss school if he or she is ill, or if you have advance permission from the school.
- Absence requests will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
- You can be fined for taking your child out of school without advance permission from the school.
What does the law say?
The government changed the rules on term-time absence in 2013.Ìý Under the new rules, you can only allow your child to miss school if:
- He or she is too ill to go in
- You’ve got advance permission from the school
When will absence requests be granted?
Permission for absence will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
The headteacher will consider each absence request individually and decide whether to grant the absence.
The headteacher will also decide how many days your child can be away from school if the absence is granted.
Parents/Carers understand that ‘attendance matters’, so unjustified absences will not be permitted.
The school or local authority can fine parents/carers for the unauthorised absence of their child from school, where the child is of compulsory school age.
If a Penalty Notice is issued, it carries a penalty of £80 if paid in full within 21 days, or £160 if paid in full after this time but within 28 days.
Penalty notices can be issued by a headteacher, local authority officer or the police.Ìý
The decision on whether or not to issue a penalty notice may take into account:
- The number of unauthorised absences occurring within a rolling academic year
- One-off instances of irregular attendance, such as holidays taken in term time without permission
- Where an excluded pupil is found in a public place during school hoursÌýwithout a justifiable reason
If the payment has not been made after 28 days, the local authority can decide whether to prosecute or withdraw the notice.