1) Penalty Notices for unauthorised absence at The Academy

 2) Arriving late to the Academy

 3) Penalty fines for holidays taken during term-time

 4) Extended Leave and consequences

 5) Fast-track to Attendance

Dear Parent/Carers

Attendance in school is monitored and causes for concern are discussed with The School Attendance Improvement Advisor on a weekly basis.

Schools will always try to resolve attendance issues initially with young people and/or their parents, however there are occasions when more intensive work is requested and we will work very closely as an Academy to improve overall Academy attendance and future life chances for the Academy community.

Please take the time to read the following information as it may be useful should your child be absent from the Academy in the future.

1)PENALTY NOTICES FOR UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE AT THE ACADEMY
A Penalty Warning may be issued to parents/carers if a child is absent from school for 5 days or 10 sessions and the absence is not authorised by school, if absence continues after the warning a fine may be issued. The fine is £50 for each parent/carer, if the fine remains unpaid after 28 days it increases to £100 per parent. A fine that remains unpaid after 43 days will be referred to court for prosecution.

2)ARRIVING LATE TO THE ACADEMY.
If a pupil arrives late after the register has closed this will be marked as an absence (unauthorised) in the register and will be treated as absent for the whole morning or afternoon session. A parent may then also be fined as above.

3) PENALTY FINES FOR HOLIDAYS TAKENDURING TERM TIME
Parents/carers may also receive a fine if they take a child out of school for a holiday for 5 days or more during term-time. This is an instant fine of £50 which again increases if unpaid to £100 and will be referred to court if it remains unpaid after 43 days. Fines will only be issued if school refuse to authorise a holiday. Parents/carers must always request a holiday from school in accordance with The Academy Policy.

4) EXTENDED LEAVE AND CONSEQUENCES.
Extended Leave will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. If a pupil does not return to school within 20 days they may be removed from the Academy roll and their place will be offered to another pupil on the waiting list.

5) FAST-TRACK TO ATTENDANCE
Fast-track to Attendance is a programme of interventions by school and the School Attendance Improvement Service. This may be used if a pupil has some unauthorised absence in the register and concerns have been raised. Attendance will be monitored for a period of 10 weeks and support will be offered if it is appropriate. An improvement is expected during the monitoring period and parents will be expected to attend meetings in school with key staff. If attendance deteriorates then Parents/Carers may be prosecuted in court.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Most young people do attend school every day and thrive in education, however there are occasions when absence is unavoidable.

If you need some advice or further information regarding the content of this leaflet please contact The Oldham Academy North on 0161 652 2428.

Dawn Hesketh is the Attendance Adviser for The Oldham Academy North and can be contacted direct on 0161 652 2428.