A number of new harsh rules are being put in place next month, with parents facing £2,500 fines potentially
The education system has been struggling for the last few years to get levels of absenteeism down to pre-Covid levels. To combat this, ministers announced new rules that will be implemented in September to manage school attendance that parents need to be wary of, as well as the potential consequences.
Government guidelines currently note that children should attend school every day that it is open except for five occasions; if they are ill, if parents asked in advance and were given permission for the absence, on religious observance days, local authority transport disruptions or traveler families who are required to travel for work on a particular day.
Fines and improvement notice changes
Fines for absences is not new to parents but the amount has changed, from £60 to £80. This will also rise to £160 if the fine is not paid within 21 days. The decision of whether to issue a fine is still up to the school but the local council is the body issuing the fines to parents and guardians.
From next month, families can receive a maximum of two fines within a three-year rolling period before they are automatically charged at the £160 level and issued improvement notices, parenting orders or prosecution. Being prosecuted will lead to a parent needing to attend court and could result in a fine of up to £2,500.
National fine thresholds
From September, schools must consider fines if a pupil misses 10 sessions due to unauthorised absence in a rolling period of 10 school weeks. 1 session is equal to a half day. The total 10 sessions can be combined through a number of different types of unauthorised absences. For example, being absent for four session in term time and six instances of arriving late will combine to reach the threshold.
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Mandatory data sharing
Schools now need to share daily attendance data with the government through an electronic management information system. 90% of schools already have this in place and it will also allow schools to monitor attendance and access in near real-time.
Guidance on protests
Individual schools can decide whether they grant absences to students but a new addition to the restricted scenarios that should not be granted now include taking part in “protest activity during school hours”. The former education secretary stated earlier this year that “missing school for activism is unacceptable”.
Long-term sickness
Schools now have to provide councils and local authorities with the name and address of sick pupils who they believe may miss 15 consecutive or cumulative days. The pupil’s social worker or youth offending team worker also need to be informed if there are unexplained absences.
Mental health awareness
Schools are being encouraged to be mindful of absences due to mental or physical ill health, special educational needs or disabilities and provide additional support. The guidance noted that, with this in mind, it is still “important to note that these pupils are still expected to attend school regularly”.
Codes
Attendance codes are getting a major shake-up this September among concerns the system could be misused to send children home. As a result of this a new code, K, will apply to education provisions arranged by a council rather than a school.
Another new code is Q which is an absence due to lack of access or arrangements such as disability access. The existing code C, or authorised absences, is getting more subsections too with C1 now for absence for a regulated performance or employment abroad. C2 is for pupils on part-time timetables.
Code B is getting more restrictions around using it for off-site education arranged by schools. Schools now need to record the nature of the education provide and “be satisfied that appropriate measures have been taken to safeguard the pupil”.
Code Y, or being unable to attend due to exceptional circumstances, is being split up into seven separate subcodes. This includes:
- Y1- Absence due to usual transport not being available
- Y2- Widespread disruption to travel
- Y3- Absence due to part of the school being closed
- Y4- Unexpected whole school closure
- Y5- For pupils in the criminal justice system
- Y6- Absence due to following public health guidance or laws.
- Y7- Absences due to any other unavoidable cause
