Ongoing poor school attendance
Your child's school may refer you to us if they are unhappy with the child's attendance record. Parents, children themselves and anyone who is concerned about a child can also contact us direct - email us or call us on 01270 375255.
We will meet with the parents, child and school to look at the reasons for the poor attendance and draw up a support plan. This may include bringing in other agencies, to make sure the child gets the right help.
We may issue penalty notice letters and fines if the situation does not improve. We can also prosecute parents if they do not co-operate to help the child.
Actions we can take when children miss school
Taking children out of school in term time
You do not have the right to take children on holiday in term time. Head teachers can only give permission to take a child out of school when there are exceptional circumstances.
Details about what the school counts as exceptional circumstances are agreed by the head teacher and governors and included in the school's attendance policy.
If you want to take your children out of school, you must apply to the school in writing explaining the exceptional circumstances. The head will follow the school's attendance policy to decide whether or not to approve the application. They will then write to you with their decision.
If the head does not approve the application and you still take the child out of school, the school will record the absence as unauthorised. You may then get a school absence penalty notice (fine).