ATTENDANCE:
All children are expected to be punctual, regular attendees at school. Lateness is closely monitored and we welcome parental support in ensuring children get to school on time as persistent lateness disrupts learning, both of the individual child and the class as a whole.
Leave of Absence:
Head Teachers no longer have the discretionary authority to approve holiday leave during term time. This practice changed in September 2013 and only extreme circumstances will now be considered for approved leave. Any parent who wishes to take their child out of school during term time, irrespective of the circumstances, must put it in writing to the Head Teacher as there is now a formal framework in place for the monitoring of attendance an unauthorised absence.
Genuine medical appointments are exempt from this process but parents should still provide copy of any appointment letter etc. as clarification that the appointment is genuine.
Fixed Penalty Notices
City of Sunderland will be enforcing Fixed Penalty Notices from September 2014 for instances where 20 consecutive school sessions or 10 consecutive school days have been missed due to unauthorised circumstances. The fine is set at £60.00 per child per referral.
Parents may also be interested to review the Local Authority's Code of Conduct regarding the introduction of the Fixed Penalty Notice process, which is available here. It can also be downloaded from the Policy link of the website: