Holy Family Catholic Primary School

Attendance

Good school attendance is so important - please try to send your child in to school EVERY DAY!

Thinking of taking your child on holiday in term time?

 If so, please think carefully...

• There is no automatic entitlement to any leave in term time therefore parents must seek school’s permission before taking their child out of school.

• School will only authorise the absence if there are exceptional reasons for taking the leave in term time.

• School will require parents to fill in a leave request form prior to booking any holiday and/or attend a meeting in school.

There may be occasions where, even in exceptional circumstances, your child’s school may not agree leave, for example during SATs week or important transitional periods

Studies have shown the negative impact that missing school has on children's future prospects and life chances. Coming to school every day really is the very best thing you can do for your child: 
 

✨ Research shows that children who attend school regularly are more likely to be successful.  
✨ A child who misses a day of school each week misses an equivalent of two whole years in their school life.  
✨ Missing school leads to gaps in education that become difficult to fill.

Reasons why you should not take your child out of school in term time:

• Evidence shows that even small amounts of absence from school can affect your child’s progress and attainment.

• The education of your child could be disrupted both prior to and after any leave, causing them to fall behind and struggling to catch up.

• For every week of school a child misses, they lose 25 hours of education which can never be regained.

• Approximately every 6 weeks your child gets a holiday from school, therefore you should use this time to take your child on holiday.

• If you choose to take your child on holiday in term time without permission, you will be issued with a penalty notice.

A Fixed Penalty Notice will be issued where a pupil has accrued 10 unauthorised absences in a term or 14 unauthorised absences over two terms (AM and PM count as separate absences so this is equivalent to 5 full days over one term or 7 full days over two terms).

Penalty Notices are charged at £120 per parent, per child and are payable within 28 days. (They are payable at the reduced rate of £60 if paid within 21 days). 

Failure to pay the Penalty Notice could result in legal proceedings being taken against you.  This may result in a criminal record.

Under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, parents are legally responsible for making sure that their child of compulsory school age receives efficient full time education that is suitable to the child’s age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs the child may have.

If you have any problems which are affecting your child's attendance, you can speak to us in confidence and we will do all we can to support you with this. Please do let us know if there is anything we can do to help you with your child's attendance - we are always here to help.