We are committed to meeting our obligation with regards to school attendance through our whole-school culture and ethos that values good attendance. We believe that improving attendance is everyone’s business. We also understand that the barriers to accessing education are wide and complex, both within and beyond the school gates, and are often specific to individual pupils and families.

The foundation of securing good attendance is that school is a calm, orderly, safe, and supportive environment where all pupils want to be and are keen and ready to learn. It is the expectation of everyone within the wider school community to support pupils to:

• Attend school regularly
• Attend school punctually
• Attend school prepared

We will achieve this by:

• Promoting good attendance
• Reducing absence, including persistent and severe absence
• Ensuring every pupil has access to the full-time education to which they are entitled
• Acting early to address patterns of absence
• Building strong relationships with families to ensure pupils have the support in place to attend school

There has been recent changes in legal responsibilities in relation to school attendance. Under Section 444 of The Education Act 1996 a parent is guilty of an offence if a child of compulsory school age, who is a registered pupil at a school, fails to attend regularly at the school.

Derbyshire County Council may consideration of legal action if a child's attendance continues to be unsatisfactory.  This may result in:

• A Penalty Notice payable up to £120 fine per child.
• Prosecution under s444 (1) Education Act 1996 where, if convicted, you may be fined up to £1000.
• Prosecution under s444 (1a) Education Act 1996 where, if convicted, you may be fined up to £2500 and/or a community order or imprisonment.

Please be aware that pupils with an attendance of 90% or less will not have absences authorised unless they are accompanied by a medical professional’s letter.