Meeting with Parents 16 th June 2014

1. Meeting with Parents16th June 2014 Penalty Notices for Regular Non Attendance at School

2. Penalty Notices for Regular Non Attendance at School Agenda Rationale Issue of the FPN Fixed penalty Notices linked to Holidays

3. Penalty Notices for Regular Non Attendance at School The Issue of Fixed Penalty Notices –FPN will be introduced from Sep0tember 2014 Absence -Two main categories • Authorised Absence Approved by school (includes Sickness, doctors/dentist appointments, music dance examinations etc ) • Un authorised Absence ( includes birthday treats, shopping for shoes, holidays etc ) Rationale • Legal responsibility of all Parents/Carers to ensure regular attendance. • It is a criminal offence (Education Act 1996 Section 444) for parents to fail to ensure that their child attends regularly and where absences are un authorised • It has been introduced as an alternative to prosecution. FPN will only be used where there is a realistic expectation that improvement will be secured • It is the role of the school and the EWO to work with parents to achieve improvement • Fixed Penalty Notices - as with other sanctions it is another sanction which may be used where there is a lack of co operation or an absence in cooperation

4. Penalty Notices for Regular Non Attendance at School Who can request the issue the FPN? • Authorised LA staff (EWO) • Headteachers • The Police Who can receive the FPN? • Parents and Carers of compulsory aged children • The FPN may be issued to each parent/carer liable for the offence or offences (as with prosecution under the 1996 Act)

5. Penalty Notices for Regular Non Attendance at School Considerations prior to the Issue of FPN • Level of Absence • SEN or ALN • Attendance History • WG Guidance • Likely effectiveness of FPN as a tool for securing compliance • Level of parent engagement/co operation • Any substantial adverse effect a fine will have on the welfare of the family Procedure for Issuing FPN • Only designated officers in the EWS (Education Welfare Service) will be permitted to issue the FPN and only then if the correct procedures and circumstances apply

6. Penalty Notices for Regular Non Attendance at School Issuing the FPN • Only for unauthorised absence • Restricted to one per parent of a pupil in an academic year • FPN may be issued to more that one child in the same family • No restriction on the number of formal warnings or FPN over the course of a child’s education FPN may be Considered when • A minimum of 10 Sessions(5 school days) are lost due to unauthorised absence • Unauthorised absence of at least 10 Sessions(5 school days) due to holidays in term time or delayed return from extended holidays • Persistent late arrival at school- at least 10 sessions after the register closes 9:30 • Truancy where the child has come to the attention of the Police or public during school hours without acceptable explanation

7. Penalty Notices for Regular Non Attendance at School Fixed penalty Notices linked to Holidays A FPN will only be issued when • A copy of a newsletter has been sent during the current Academic year stating that a parent may receive a FPN for un an authorised Holiday during term time • A copy of the Holiday request Form and the response made- advise must again be provided that the parents may receive a FPN if they take their child out of school • A copy of the letter from the school to the parent advising the family that the school has referred the matter to the LA and that a FPN may be issued • A signed certificate from the school confirming that non attendance during the period was unauthorised

8. Penalty Notices for Regular Non Attendance at School Charges • Payment within 28 days £60 • Payment within 42 days £120 • Non Payment will result in Prosecution Appeals There is no statutory Right of Appeal

9. Penalty Notices for Regular Non Attendance at School Questions?