Department for Education Attendance Update

From 24th August 2024, every state school in England has to share their daily attendance registers with the Department for Education and Borough Council, in the government’s drive to reduce pupil absence in school.

Schools have to designate a registration time. Children arriving at school, after this time will be classed as an unauthorised absence, unless a reason has been given and therefore a different code allocated.

School registers will form attendance data that will help schools spot and support children displaying worrying trends of persistent absence or those in danger of becoming missing in education.

At St Oswald’s School the designated registration time is closed by 9.20am—as above children arriving after this time will be classed as unauthorised for the that session.Due to the importance of school attendance we politely ask parents to avoid taking holidays during term time.  Children lose vital learning time due to term time absences and only by working together can we continue to help our children achieve their very best.

Please see link from Warrington Borough Council https://www.warrington.gov.uk/school-attendance before considering holidays during term time. If an absence during term time is unavoidable you will need to complete a Term Time Absence Request Form in advance and return it to the school. Requests will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances. The form can be collected from the school office or can be downloaded below. Alternatively, an online form can be submitted below. 

Please note that if the absence is not authorised by the school a referral will be sent to the Attendance Team for their consideration.  If you take leave of absence on the above dates, a Penalty Notice fine may be issued to you by Warrington Borough Council on your return. 

The current penalty is £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days. This amount increases to £160 per parent per child if payment is made between 22 and 28 days.

Please note that there is no right of appeal for this notice. Failure to pay within the specified time may result in the matter being referred to the Magistrates Court, where higher fines could be imposed, and you could receive a criminal record.

Illness

Absence from school through illness is classed as an authorised absence. Absence from school, however, for any reason, can prevent your child from achieving their full potential. It is important to communicate regularly with the school and inform us of any medical issues we may need to be aware of so that we can offer appropriate support.

During the winter months months bugs and viruses can spread, therefore guidance states that children should ‘stay off school until you’ve not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days’ (48 hours).

More help and support can be found on this link https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/