ATTEND TODAY ACHIEVE TOMORROW
Excellent attendance rates and punctuality are crucial for students to succeed in their education. We would expect that all students aim for 100% attendance but recognise that this is not always possible.
If we have any concerns about attendance, we like to work in partnership with the student and their family to ensure that absence is kept to a minimum and any missed work is available for completion.
A letter or telephone message from a parent does not in itself authorise an absence. Only if the school is satisfied as to the validity of the explanation offered by the letter/message, will the absence be authorised.
At North Herts ESC, we would encourage parents to work closely with us to address any concerns around their child’s attendance. Support advice and guidance can be offered to parents through referrals to agencies or meetings in school. This is often enough to identify areas that are troubling young people and support can be offered.
Attendance is monitored daily and any students whose overall attendance falls below 90% would be a cause for concern and would require us to seek the support of the Local Authority Attendance Improvement Officer.
Under Section 444 of the 1996 Education Act, a pupil is required to attend regularly at the school/education provision where he/she is a registered pupil.
The school is obliged by law to differentiate between authorised and unauthorised absence.
If a student has had 10 sessions (1 day = 2 sessions) or more of unauthorised absence in within a 10-school week period (including unauthorised holidays) the Head of Centre may ask the Local Authority to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice. The 10 sessions do not have to be consecutive and can be made of a combination of any type of unauthorised absence (Coding G, O, U within the school registers)
The penalty is £160 each parent, reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days of receipt of the notice, rising to £120 if paid within 21 days. If the penalty is not paid the Local Authority may then seek to take legal action. If a parent is found guilty in court, they will receive a criminal conviction.
If your child is unable to attend for any reason, you should:
Please note that the final decision of whether or not to authorise an absence rest with North Herts ESC. Our preference is for all medical/dental appointments to be made outside of the school day, and we would therefore ask that you provide evidence for appointments within the school day.
Holidays during term time are only permitted in exceptional circumstances and only with the explicit permission of the Head of Centre. Any request for holidays during term time must be made in writing. Parents/carers should be aware that holidays taken during term time will have a detrimental impact on a child’s learning and could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued.
Days off school add up to missed learning.
If you are concerned about your child’s attendance, please contact Dan Lewis, Assistant Head KS3 on 01462 487207 or Kate Robinson, Assistant Head KS4 on 01462 419020.
