Attendance information.
Attendance
Attendance information.
Attendance
Attendance information.
At Fred Longworth High School we believe that regular school attendance is the key to enabling children and young people to maximise the educational opportunities available to them and become emotionally resilient, confident and competent adults who are able to realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to their community.
The link between success at school and attendance is clear; we want all our students to succeed. Being in school on time are key ingredients for students to do well at school. If your child is unable to attend school you need to contact our Attendance Officer.
EDUCATION PENALTY NOTICE (EPN) WARNING
Under the Education Act 1996, parents and carers have a duty to make sure their children regularly attend school. If parents or carers fail to do this, they can be prosecuted.
A new National Framework for Penalty Notices for school absence, including unauthorised holiday absence, is being introduced following changes to the law. These new Government regulations came into effect from 19 August 2024.
In line with the Working together to improve school attendance (applies from 19 August 2024) (publishing.service.gov.uk), Wigan Council will prioritise the ‘support first’ approach expecting that support will have been offered to families in cases where it is appropriate, and parents/carers are encouraged to communicate with the school should any support be required to improve attendance.
Penalty Notices are requested by schools and academies and issued by the Local Authority to the parents/carers of statutory school age children, per parent, per child. For example: two children in a family absent from school for a leave of absence may result in each parent receiving a Penalty Notice for each child at the below rates.
What are the changes?
- There will be a new national threshold of 10 unauthorised sessions for any reason (equivalent to 5 school days) within a rolling 10 school week period for when a penalty notice must be considered.
- The new rules mean you will no longer be able to take your child out of school for one week’s holiday without a penalty notice being issued.
- There will be an increase in the penalty fine from £60 to £80 if paid in 21 days. If the fine is not paid by the first 21 days, it will rise to £160 if paid within 28 days of being issued.
- If a second penalty fine is issued to the same parent for the same child within a 3-year rolling period, the fine will automatically rise to £160 with no option to pay the lower rate of £80.
- If a parent then commits a third offence in a 3-year rolling period, the local authority will need to consider other enforcement options available to them.
For further information about attendance and EPN, please read this letter from Wigan Council.
Parents / Carers have a responsibility to contact School on their child’s first day of absence with an explanation and likely duration:
Absence Line: 01942 881986
Please ensure you notify School of any changes to emergency contacts / numbers.
- We have a clear Attendance Policy. We make the decision to authorise absence. In certain cases medical evidence will be requested. Wherever possible please avoid medical / dental appointments during school hours.
- If NO message is received on day one of absence, our Attendance Officer, Ms J Rea, will issue messages via our “InTouch” Messaging System, it is imperative you contact us on day one with a reason for your child’s absence
- If on Day 3 no contact has been made a welfare check will be undertaken by the School.
- Parents are notified of their child’s attendance regularly. i.e. progress review day, parents evening, interim reports and on-line reporting.
- If your child’s attendance becomes a cause for concern, a letter will be emailed or posted to the child’s home address. Parents / carers could be invited to an attendance meeting in School with our Attendance Officer. A home visit could also be undertaken.
- Unauthorised absences may result in a penalty notice being issued / legal court proceedings
If you have any concerns regarding your child’s attendance please do not hesitate to make initial contact with Ms J Rea on 01942 881986.
