Letter to Parents: Attendance and Punctuality Guide

Dear Parent/Carer,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to share some important information about changes to the National Threshold for Penalty Notices for parents, which came into effect in August 2024. These changes aim to support consistent school attendance and punctuality and ensure every child can make the most of their learning opportunities.

Under the updated guidelines, if a student has 10 unauthorised absences within a 10-school-week period, schools may request a Penalty Notice to be issued. Each school day consists of two sessions, morning (AM) and afternoon (PM), so one full day of absence equals two sessions.

It’s important to note that being late to school will also count as an unauthorised absence. For example, if your child arrives after the morning register has closed, this is recorded as one unauthorised session. Over a 10 week period, 10 such occurrences would meet the threshold for considering a referral for a fixed penalty notice.

We understand that mornings can sometimes be challenging and we are here to support you in ensuring your child has a smooth and timely start to their school day. Regular and punctual attendance is vital for your child’s educational success and helps to build good habits for the future. A polite reminder that all children should be on site for 8.15am each day.

If you have any questions or concerns about attendance or punctuality, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We’re committed to working together to create the best possible learning environment for your child. Thank you for your continued support in helping us ensure every child can thrive and achieve their potential.

Yours faithfully,

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OAS Attendance and Punctuality Guide for Parents.pdf 450 KB

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Late to School.pdf 366 KB