Attendance
The Department for Education (DfE) updated its statutory attendance guidance, Working Together to Improve School Attendance (July 2026). The guidance aims to support schools, families and local authorities to work together to improve attendance and remove barriers that may prevent children from accessing education.
A copy of the guidance can be found here: here
School Attendance is Important
Improving attendance is a shared responsibility. The challenges that affect attendance are varied and can arise both within and beyond the school environment. These challenges often differ according to the individual needs and circumstances of pupils and their families.
Every child of compulsory school age has a legal right to a full-time education that is suitable for their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs. Parents have a legal duty to ensure that their child receives this education, either through regular attendance at school or otherwise.
Where parents choose to register their child at a school, they are additionally responsible for ensuring that their child attends regularly. This means that pupils should attend school every day that it is open, unless there is a valid reason for absence, such as illness or an authorised leave of absence.
At St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School, we are committed to working collaboratively with pupils, parents, carers, the local authority and other agencies to promote good attendance and ensure that every child has the best possible opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Leave of Absence During Term Time
Regular attendance at school is essential to support children's learning, wellbeing and progress. Parents have a legal responsibility to ensure that their child attends school regularly and punctually.
When Can a Leave of Absence Be Granted?
Schools may grant a leave of absence only in the limited circumstances set out in the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024 and the Department for Education's statutory attendance guidance. These include:
- Participation in a regulated performance or approved employment abroad.
- Attending an interview for entry to another educational institution or future employment.
- Study leave for public examinations, where agreed in advance.
- A temporary, time-limited part-time timetable agreed between the school and parents for exceptional reasons.
- Other exceptional circumstances, which will be considered on an individual basis, taking into account the specific circumstances of the request and any relevant background information.
If a leave of absence is granted, it is for the school to determine the length of time that may be authorised.
Requesting a Leave of Absence
Parents wishing to request a leave of absence must complete a Withdrawal from Learning Application Form, available from the school office, at least four weeks before the proposed absence.be considered on its individual merits, taking account of the circumstances presented and any supporting information provided.
Please note that family holidays, leisure activities and recreational events will not normally be authorised during term time, as these do not generally constitute exceptional circumstances under current legislation and guidance. There is no automatic entitlement to take a child out of school during term time. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
We strongly encourage parents to arrange holidays and family trips during the published school holiday periods to minimise disruption to their child's education.
National Framework for Penalty Notices
The national framework for penalty notices applies to unauthorised absences from school.
Where a pupil reaches the national threshold for unauthorised absence, schools must consider whether a penalty notice is appropriate. The threshold is 10 sessions of unauthorised absence within a rolling period of 10 school weeks.
This threshold may be met through any combination of unauthorised absence, including:
- Term-time holidays taken without authorisation.
- Unauthorised absences.
- Repeated late arrival after the close of registration.
The 10 sessions may be consecutive or accumulated over the 10-week period and may span different terms or school years.
Penalty Notice Charges
- £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days.
- £160 per parent, per child if paid within 28 days. [gov.uk], [assets.pub...ice.gov.uk]
Further information about attendance expectations and legal interventions can be found in the Department for Education's statutory guidance, Working Together to Improve School Attendance (July 2026)
leaveofabsencerequestleafletforparents.pdf
School Attendance and Behaviour - East Sussex County Council
https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/education-learning/schools/attendance-behaviour
What parents and carers need to know about school avoidance
School Timings
It is very important to develop good routines for getting to school on time.
School timings are:
Morning gate opens: 8:40 am
Registration opens: 8.45 am
Morning gate closes: 8.50 am
School finish: 3.15 pm
Children begin early work as soon as they enter the classroom. Morning gate closes at 8.50 am, any children who arrive after this time, but before the close of register at 9.10 am, will be marked as ‘late before the close of register’. Children who arrive after 9.10 am will be marked as ‘late after the close of register’, which is recorded as unauthorised absence unless a valid reason has been provided.
If your child has a medical appointment during the school day, we ask that we can see sight of the hospital/appointment letter. A photocopy of this will be taken. You will be asked by the office staff to sign your child in/out of school.
If your child becomes unwell during the day, we will contact you to come and collect them. Please ensure that we always have up-to-date telephone numbers for you.
Our school day finishes at 3.15 pm. The children are collected from their classrooms. Please ensure you are on time to collect, if for any reason you are going to be late please contact the school office.
We believe that a good attendance habit gives your child the best possible start in life and helps develop the skills needed in adult life.
Thank you for your cooperation.
