Attendance
Regular and punctual attendance of pupils at school is a legal requirement and from the 19th August 2024 there is a new national framework for penalty notices. This is a requirement across the country and will be followed by all schools. Please see the changes below:
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Per Parent, Per Child Penalty Notice fines will now be issued to each parent, for each child that was absent. For example: 3 siblings absent for term time leave, would result in each parent receiving 3 separate fines. |
First Offence The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time leave of irregular attendance the amount will be: £160 per parent, per child if paid within 28 days Reduced to £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days |
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5 consecutive days of term time leave Penalty Notice Fines will be issued for Term Time leave of 5 or more consecutive school days. 10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a 10-week period Penalty Notice fines will be considered when there have been 10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a 10-week period |
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Second Offence - (Within 3 years) The second time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time leave or irregular attendance the amount will be £160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days |
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Third Offence and Any Further Offences (within 3 years) The third time an offence is committed for Term Time leave or irregular attendance a Penalty Notice will not be issued, and the case will be presented straight to the Magistrates’ Court. Magistrates’ fines are per parent, per child Cases found guilty in Magistrates’ Court may be shown on the parent’s future DBS certificate. |
Payment of Penalty Notices:
It is important to note that these fines are paid directly to the council and not school.
- Failure to pay the fines may result in court action.
- The fine must be paid in full, there are no payment plans (paying in instalments),
- There is no process to appeal a fine it must be paid.
We appreciate that holidays are expensive out of term time but please note this guidance is national guidance and school has a legal responsibility to follow it.
Please take this new legislation into account when thinking about booking holidays during term time from September 2024. In line with the new regulations, we have updated our request for absence form which is available from the school office- please email for a copy to be emailed to you office@norwell.notts.sch.uk and office@st-matthews.notts.sch.uk or download it from here:
Please note we ask these forms are completed and received into the office 4 weeks prior to the absence.
Attendance - National Framework Letter to Parents/Carers 23.07.2024