​Attendance and Punctuality at Merridale

 

Merridale Primary School has a duty to promote good school attendance for all children.

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Missing school means missing out. We aim for all children to attend school, on time, every day that they are able to. We know that attendance and punctuality has a direct impact on children’s learning and well-being. Children who are regularly absent or late to school do not achieve their potential and fall behind in class.

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If your child is unable to come to school, we ask parents/carers to contact school before 10.00 a.m. to confirm the reason for the absence.

The school has a number of initiatives to encourage regular attendance at school:

• First day absence calls

• Individual attendance awards each term and at the end of each year

• Weekly class attendance rewards

• Early involvement of Educational Welfare Officer and school Family Support Worker

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Regular attendance at school is vital to help children achieve and get the best possible start in life

Children who frequently miss school often fall behind. There is a strong link between good school attendance and achieving good results. It is proven that attainment is connected to good attendance, missing school could have an impact on your child’s education, remember that one day’s absence is 5 lessons/learning opportunities missed. This is valuable learning time that cannot be given back. 

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Longer term impact of poor school attendance:

• Significant Grade Drops: A student with 85-90% attendance typically achieves grades two grades lower per subject than their potential, while those with less than 85% attendance often fail to get five good GCSEs.

• Higher Grades: Pupils with near-perfect attendance have a much higher chance of achieving grades 4-9 in English and Maths compared to those with poor attendance.

• Fewer Missed Lessons: Missing just 10% of school (about 19 days a year) means missing around 100 lessons, which makes catching up very difficult. 

 

Thinking of taking your child out of school in term time?

Legislation introduced in September 2013 stated that Headteachers could no longer authorise 10 days holiday during term time.

Leave of absence during term time, can now only be authorised by the Headteacher if they are satisfied, that there are exceptional circumstances.

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If the Headteacher does not authorise the leave of absence but the child is absent during the requested time, parents may receive a Penalty Notice (fine).

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How do I make a request for leave of absence in term time?

1. You need to complete a leave of absence request form, which is attached to this web page, at least four weeks before the start of the holiday/requested leave.

2. The completed form must then be sent to the school for approval.

3. The school will then write to you within seven school working days to confirm/decline the request.​

 

What will happen if my request is refused but I still take the leave of absence?

Penalty Notice Fines are issued to each parent who allows their child to be absent from school. For example: 3 siblings absent for term time leave, would result in each parent who allowed the holiday receiving 3 separate fines.

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First Offence

The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for an unauthorised term time holiday the fine amount will be: £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days. Increasing to £160 if paid between days 22-28.

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Second Offence (within 3 years)

The Second time a Penalty Notice is issued for unauthorised absence the amount will be: £160 per parent (who allowed the holiday), per child, payable within 28 days.

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Third Offence and Any Further Offences (within 3 years)

The third time an offence is committed a Penalty Notice will not be issued and local authorities will need to consider other available measures to address the absence concerns. This may mean that cases are presented before a Magistrate’s Court. Prosecution can result in criminal records and fines of up to £2,500. Cases found guilty in the Magistrates’ Court can show on the parent’s future DBS certificate due to ‘failure to safeguard a child’s education’.

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Frequently asked questions

1. Can I dispute the Fixed Penalty Notice?

Only a Headteacher/Principal can authorise leave of absence from school.

If there are other exceptional or compelling circumstances of which the school were not aware of, you can make a representation to the Headteacher. If the school maintain the absence was unauthorised, the Penalty Notice will stand. There is no right to appeal a Fixed Penalty Notice, but you may choose not to pay and make your representations in the Magistrate’s Court. You should be aware that should the court find you guilty of the offence of irregular school attendance, they can impose a higher punishment upon conviction. The court may also charge you with court costs.

 

2. I do not live with the child or I am a step-parent, can I still be fined?

Yes, Section 576 Education Act 1996 defines ‘parent’ as:

• Any natural parent, whether married or not

• Any parent who, although not a natural parent, has parental responsibility as defined in the Children Act (1989) for a child or young person

• Any person who, although not a natural parent, has care of a child or young person on a day to day basis. However, for any parent who does not reside with the child(ren), applications will be considered on an individual basis by the Headteacher/Principal and may still be liable for prosecution.

 

3. Why do some schools authorise absence and another does not?

The Headteacher is the only person who can authorise leave of absence. Headteachers are only able to authorise leave of absence requests for exceptional circumstance and each case will be looked at individually.

 

4. My child has never had unauthorised leave of absence before?

The Penalty Notice has been issued based on the referral criteria. School attendance is crucial to children and any absence will have an impact upon your child’s education. Your child’s Headteacher will have based their decision on whether the leave of absence request was exceptional rather than based on your child’s attendance level percentage.

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If you require more information, please visit the Wolverhampton City Council's school attendance page: https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/education-and-schools/school-attendance

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