We use cookies on our website to ensure that we give you the best experience. This includes cookies from third party social media websites, especially on pages where embedded content from social media can be found. Such third party cookies may track your use of our website. To continue with cookies, please click 'Accept' below. However, you can change your cookie settings at any time.
Research has shown that achievement is directly linked to attendance. Students with a high level of attendance invariably perform better in class and in examinations.
Attend Regularly - and on time!
This graph shows the impact high attendance has on exam success and consequently on future career choices.
The law in relation to school attendance. Since September 2013 schools are not allowed to grant leave of absence for holidays, and we shall no longer have ‘leave of absence’ request forms.
The Principal will grant leave of absence only in exceptional circumstances.
Parents and carers should write to the Principal or make an appointment to see her if they are requesting leave for this reason.
Since the 1st September 2013, the reference in law to Head teachers/Principals being able (at their discretion) to agree up to 10 days of leave of absence will be removed. Instead, the legal reference will be amended. This will mean that schools should not authorise leave of absence unless:
To request for student absence, please download the Request for Student Absence Form.
Where there is unauthorised absence, Penalty Notices will be issued. The law with regard to Penalty Notices is also changing as follows:
The periods during which a Penalty Notice should be paid are shortening. For unauthorised absence the amount of the penalty to be paid will be:
Where a Penalty Notice remains unpaid, legal action will be pursued by the Local Authority.
Parents also face prosecution in the Magistrates' Court; a fine of up to £2,500 or a community penalty could be imposed together with a Parenting Order. A criminal record will then exist for the parent.
Judgemeadow Community College will no longer have holiday request forms. If there is ever an exceptional reason why your child needs to have leave of absence, you will need to write to me or make an appointment to meet to explain the reason for your request. I shall write back to you with my decision.
If you are concerned about your child’s school attendance it is always best to talk to the school first.