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The expectations for attendance from September 2023 

Attendance is mandatory. The usual rules on attendance continue to apply, including:

• parents’ duty to ensure that their child of compulsory school age attends regularly at the school where the child is a registered pupil

• schools’ responsibilities to record attendance and follow up absence

• the ability to issue sanctions, including fixed penalty notices, in line with local authorities’ codes of conduct

• the duty on local authorities to put in place arrangements for identifying, and to follow up with, children missing education

 

If you are worried about your child/children attending school please discuss your concerns with the school directly. The school has specialist staff who may be able to help, and we work closely with health and council teams who may also be able to help if needed.

Family emergencies also need careful consideration. It is not always appropriate or in the best interests of the child to miss school for emergencies which are being dealt with by adult family members.

No school or local authority wants to take legal action. Every attempt to resolve parents’ concerns and improve a child’s attendance will be made before any formal legal action, which may include a penalty notice or court action, is considered.

After so much disruption to children’s education over the past few years, the most important thing is that the school and parents work together to get children back into school. The school is ready to listen, so please contact them if you have any worries, and they will try to help you.