Provisions since September 2013

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.

Leave of absence

Since the 1^st 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:

• An application has been made in advance by the parent/carer with whom the student normally resides AND
• The Principal considers that there are exceptional circumstances relating to the application

To request for student absence, please download the Request for Student Absence Form.

unauthorised absence

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:

• £60 per parent per child if paid within 21 days of receipt of the notice and
• £120 per parent per child if paid within 28 days

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.

If your child is not in school

• they may be absent without your knowledge
• they may be at risk
• they are missing out on their education
• they miss more than half a year of their education if they miss two weeks of school every year 
• you may be fined £60 or prosecuted, fined up to £2,500 and imprisoned
• you may be given a parenting order by the court requiring your attendance at counselling/guidance sessions.

Pupils with good attendance

• achieve better
• feel happier
• gain confidence
• find it easier to make and keep friends
• have better prospects of employment and training.
• Good attendance helps students to achieve their potential.