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Exceptional Education at the Heart of the Community

Exceptional Education at the Heart of the Community

Reporting Absences

Absence Reporting Procedure:

Please read and follow this procedure when reporting your child's absences. 

1. If your child is unable to come to school, for valid reasons, you must call the school office before 9:15am on ‭0121 373 6056‬.

Please remember that parental illness, going shopping, visiting family, truancy, not wanting to go to school, alleged bullying (speak to school immediately to resolve the issue) are not acceptable reasons to be absent. All of these will be recorded as unauthorised absence, including if your child arrives at school after the close of registration.

2. On the phone, you can hold to speak to the office staff OR you can press Option 1 if you would like to report using the automated service.

Although it may be easier to do so, please DO NOT message via ClassDojo/Email to tell the school of any absences as these messages can be missed and will result in the school having to call home, or possibly having to do a home visit.

 

When calling, saying that your child is just 'unwell' or 'poorly' will not be accepted. We need a valid reason or explanation of how they are unwell.

 

Authorised Absences:

Absence can only be authorised by the Principal, within the boundaries set by the Education (Pupil Registrations) (England) Regulations 2006.  Principals may not authorise leave during term time except where the circumstances are exceptional.

Family emergencies need careful consideration. It is not always appropriate or in the best interests of the child to miss school for emergencies which are being dealt with by adult family members. Being at school with support from staff and peers can provide children with stability. The routine of school offers a safe and familiar background during times of uncertainty.

 

The impact on children when missing school:

Oasis Academy Short Heath is working in partnership with parents and the Local Authority to improve school attendance. We would like to congratulate the many parents who make sure their children attend school regularly.

Absence disrupts the education of the individual pupil and the whole class. Are you aware that children who do not attend regularly?

  • do not achieve well in exams
  • find it difficult to maintain friendships
  • are more likely to become involved in crime
  • miss out on opportunities in further education and the world of work?

Frequent absence can add up to a considerable amount of lost learning and can seriously disadvantage your child in adult life.

If your child’s level of absence is of serious concern, the school will offer advice and support to improve attendance. After this, any unauthorised absence may result in the School and the Local Authority taking legal action.

How does your child compare?

Attendance during one school year:

Days away from school:

Approximate weeks away from school:

Number of lessons missed:

95%

9 days

2 weeks

50 lessons

90%

19 days

4 weeks

100 lessons

85%

29 days

6 weeks

150 lessons

80%

38 days

8 weeks

200 lessons

 

It is a parent’s legal responsibility to ensure their children receive appropriate education. Failing to send your child to school regularly without good reason is a criminal offence.

Legal action that may be taken includes:

  • Issuing penalty notices: Each parent receives a penalty notice for each child who has unauthorised absence. The penalty is £60 or £120 depending on how soon payment is made. So, if there are two parents and two children the total penalties could be up to £480. Failure to pay may result in prosecution.
  • Taking parents to court for unauthorised absence: Education Act 1996 Section 444(1) - court can fine each parent up to £1000 per child, order payment of prosecution costs and/or impose a Parenting Order.
  • Taking parents to court for persistent unauthorised absence: Education Act 1996 Section 444(1A) - court can fine each parent up to £2,500 per child, order payment of the prosecution costs, impose a Parenting Order and/or sentence you to a period of imprisonment of up to 3 months.

Being taken to court could result in you having a criminal record.

Again, we would like to thank those parents who make sure their child is attending school regularly and are therefore benefiting fully from their educational opportunity.