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Attendance and Term Time Absence

We to promote high attendance. Our children enjoy coming to school and our families support their children's learning by ensuring children come to school regularly and on time. 

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If your child is ill, please ring us and leave a message on our answer machine, text in or speak to us. Please make sure you tell us before registration at 8:55am. If we do not know where your child is we will contact you in line with safeguarding and attendance policy guidance.

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In line with DFE expectations and the Local Authority guidelines, term time absence for family holiday purposes is not permitted. Where families choose to take holiday in term time of 5 consecutive school days or more then we will follow guidelines and refer the case to the Local Authority who may choose to issue a fixed penalty notice. 

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Short absences for family weddings, emergencies, bereavement or funerals are all authorised absences. These absences should be notified in writing for the attention of the Headteacher using the request for leave of absence form.

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For all term time absence please complete a leave of absence request form. Please note, all term time holiday of 5 consecutive days or more will automatically be referred to the Local Authority in line with DFE and Local Authority guidance.

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With the introduction of the new National Framework for Penalty Notices, the following changes will come into force for Penalty Notice fines issued for unauthorised absence that occurs after 19 August 2024.

 

Per Parent, Per Child

Penalty Notice fines will be issued to each parent, for each child who was absent. For example: 3 siblings absent for term time leave will result in each parent receiving 3 separate fines.

 

5 Consecutive Days of Term Time Leave

Penalty Notice fines will be issued for term time leave of 5 or more consecutive days, and for fewer days where this has happened before.

 

10 Sessions of Unauthorised Absence in a 10-week period Penalty Notice fines will be considered when there have been 10 sessions of absence in a 10-week period.

 

First Offence

The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time Leave or irregular attendance the amount will be: £160 per parent, per child when paid within 28 days. Reduced to £80 per parent , per child if paid within 21 days.

 

Second Offence (within 3 years)

The second time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time Leave or irregular attendance the amount will be: £160 per parent, per child when paid within 28 days. (No option to pay at £80 level).

 

Third Offence and Any Further Offences (within 3 years)

The third time an offence is committed for Term Time Leave or irregular attendance a Penalty Notice will not be issued. The case will proceed to the Magistrates’ court. Magistrate’s fines can be up to £2,500 per parent, per child. Cases found guilty in Magistrates’ Court can show on the parent’s future DBS certificate and may impact on job applications and travel abroad.

 

Court prosecutions

Penalty Notices will not automatically be issued. Parents are advised that where the LA considers that a Penalty Notice is not appropriate due to the level of concern about a child’s absence, prosecution action may be taken.

 

By law, all Penalty Notice payments go to the local authority and not to schools.

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If families have any questions they should contact the Headteacher for more information or read the policy below.

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© Copyright 2017 - 2024

Rushton Primary School.

Tel: 01536 710124

Email:office@rushton.pfschools.org.uk

Station Road, Rushton, Nr Kettering,

Northamptonshire NN14 1RL

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