Attendance
We pledge to:
- Work jointly to improve attendance across our city.
- Champion the benefits of good school attendance in our work.
- Support families to help the children develop and maintain good attendance habit in the early years and throughout their school life.
- Celebrate good and improved attendance.
- Listen to children and young people's experiences and how they effect their ability to engage in school life daily.
- Make sure the right king of support is available so children and young people can attend school.
- Work together to remove barriers to good attendance.
- Minimise disruption to learning if children and young people are unable to attend school.
- Review how our organisations can support all children and young people to have good school attendance in Salford.
In September 2024 schools have been instructed to change how penalty notices are enforced.
The new National Threshold for when a penalty notice must be considered (by all schools in England and Wales) is 10 sessions of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10 week period. These sessions do not have to be consecutive and can made up of any type of unauthorised absence.
From 19.08.24 the fines for school absences across the country will be £160 discounted to £80 if paid within 21 days or £160 if paid within 28 days.
If a parent receives a second fine for the same child within any 3 year period this will be charged at the higher rate of £160 with no discount given for early repayment.
1. The first time a penalty notice is issued for unauthorised absence the amount will be £160 per parent, per child paid discounted to £80 if paid within 21 days.
2. The second time a penalty notice is issued for unauthorised absence (within 3 years) the amount will be £160 per parent per child paid with 28 days.
3. Should a third absence be taken within the 3 year period a parent may be summonsed to the Magistrates Court for knowingly failing to secure good attendance at school (Section 444 1A of the Education Act 1996)
Term Time Holidays
Any term time holidays that are taken after the start of the 2024/2025 academic year will be treated under the new legislation. The new rules apply to any absences taken from 19th August, regardless of when that holiday is booked.
Previous Exceptional Circumstances/Head Teacher Authorised Absences
From 19th August 2024 Head Teachers can no longer authorise absences under ‘Exceptional Circumstances’.
Examples of absences that will not be authorised include (but not exhaustive) absences:
· to visit poorly relatives in the UK or abroad
· to travel with family members who require medical attention
· to enable parents to fulfil work commitments
· to attend weddings
If parents wish to challenge the Head Teachers decision to unauthorise an absence, please refer to the Complaints Policy.
Notification of an upcoming child’s absence from school during school time must be sought by completing a form which is obtainable from the office
Salford City Council
