Attendance- Holiday’s in Term Time.
As you will be aware, the government has been focusing on improving attendance in schools after a notable decline post covid. As part of the new legislation, updates have been made around holidays in term time.
From August 2024, the fine for unauthorised school absences for 5 days or more across the country will be increasing to £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days. This is a fine per parent, per child.
In the case of repeated fines, if a parent receives a second fine for the same child within any three-year period, this will be charged at the higher rate of £160.
Fines per parent will be capped to two fines within any three-year period. Once this limit has been reached, other action like a parenting order or prosecution will be considered.
If you’re prosecuted and attend court because your child hasn’t been attending school, you could get a fine of up to £2,500.
Money raised via fines is only used by the local authority to cover the costs of administering the system, and to fund attendance support (the school do not receive any income from holiday fines). Any extra money is returned to the government.
NJS will circulate additional communication ahead of the Summer Holidays and an updated Attendance Policy to reflect these changes. At this time we wanted to give you advance notice of these National changes.
Mrs Moody