Attendance and Illnesses
School Attendance
At South Cave CE Primary School, we are proud that our attendance figures remain above the national average. However, we are committed to continuous improvement to ensure every child has the best possible start in life.
The Legal Duty
The DfE states that where a child is registered at a school, parents have a legal duty to ensure they attend every day the school is open, except in cases of illness or pre-authorised absence.
Penalty Notices
The Government has a national framework to ensure consistency across all schools. The following penalties apply to unauthorised absences:
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The Threshold: A penalty notice may be issued if a child has 10 sessions (5 days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling period of 10 school weeks. This includes "lateness after the register has closed."
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First Offence: The fine is £160 per parent, per child. This is reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days.
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Second Offence (within 3 years): The fine is a flat rate of £160 per parent, per child.
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Third Offence: A third penalty notice cannot be issued within a three-year period. Instead, alternative legal action, such as prosecution, will be considered.
Monitoring & Support
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Local Authority Reporting: Schools are required to share attendance data with the Local Authority frequently.
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Long-term Illness: We must provide the Council with the names of any pupils expected to miss 15 days (consecutive or cumulative) due to health reasons to ensure appropriate support is in place.
How You Can Help
We aim for 100% attendance for every pupil. You can support your child’s education by:
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Ensuring they arrive at school on time every day.
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Scheduling medical appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.
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Communicating promptly with the school office regarding any absence.
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Providing medical evidence or documentation when requested.
We are here to help. We understand that every family’s situation is unique. If you are experiencing challenges with school attendance, please contact us early so we can work together to support your child.
Useful Links & Resources
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance
