Absence Request
Information for parents/carers:
At Potley Hill Primary School we believe that regular school attendance is essential if children are to achieve their full potential. We value the attendance of all pupils. Missing out on lessons leaves children vulnerable to falling behind and can put them at risk of wider harm. There is a wide range of evidence as to the health and wellbeing benefits of school-age education. Research commissioned by the Department for Education shows missing school for even a day can mean a child is less likely to achieve good grades, which can have a damaging effect on their life chances
Headteachers must continue to comply with the 2013 amendment to the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (2006) Regulations 2013 which means that they cannot authorise a leave of absence from school unless it is exceptional.
Parents/carers must comply with Section 444 of the Education Act 1996 that states that
“(1) If a child of compulsory school age who is a registered pupil at a school fails to attend regularly at the school, his parent is guilty of an offence.”
“(1A) If in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (1) the parent knows that his child is failing to attend regularly at the school and fails without reasonable justification to cause him to do so, he is guilty of an offence.”
Parents and carers can fail to comply with section 444 of the Education Act if their child has unauthorised absences, even if those unauthorised absences are for a family holiday.
All Local Authorities and their Headteachers must continue to follow the law on attendance and implement the government’s guidance around attendance. This remains the legal expectation for all education authorities, and supports children in attending their statutory entitlement of 190 days per year.
It is of vital importance that all of us – the local authority, families, schools and children – do all we can to ensure children achieve the highest levels of attendance.
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175 Non-School Days a Year 175 days to spend on family time, visits, holidays, shopping, household jobs and other appointments. |
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190 School days in each year |
6 days absence |
10 days absence |
15 days absence |
19 days of absence (almost 4 school weeks) |
38 days of absence |
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184 Days of education v 181 non-school days |
180- Days of education v 185 non-school days |
175 Days of education v 190 non-school days |
171 Days of education v 194 non-school days |
152 Days of education v 213 non-school days |
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100% |
97% |
95% |
92% |
<90% |
80% |
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Excellent Best chance of success. Gets your child off to a flying start |
Ok Less chance of success. |
Worrying Makes it harder to make progress |
Children are categorised as ‘Persistent Absentees’ by DFE when below 90% |
Serious Concern Not fair on your child. May result in fines and court action. |
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