Attendance and absence

Children of school age who are registered at a school must, by law, attend that school regularly. Regular attendance is the best way of ensuring that a child makes the most of the educational opportunities which are available to him or her.

When a child is absent from school, he or she misses not only the teaching provided but is also less prepared for the lessons after his or her return: it can be very difficult for children to slot back into the lesson sequence. There are only 190 statutory school days in one year and each one of these days is important. Our attendance policy is clear that we teach right up to the end of term. Every school day matters.

Prior to June 2013, the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 allowed for headteachers to grant leave of absence for a term time family holiday in 'special circumstances' and for extended leave in exceptional circumstances.

Amendments to these regulations remove references to family holidays and extended leave. The amendments make it clear that headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances and that headteachers should determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted. Term-time holidays will not be authorised, and, in line with County Council policy, the school will request a penalty notice where absence from school meets the Council's criteria.