Clarendon Federation helps schools within the Federation reach their full potential and has a passion for working collaboratively to provide first-class learning experiences to a wide range of children across both of our schools. The same approach is given to attendance and ensuring that no child is left behind. We are committed to providing an education of the highest quality for all our students, and recognise this can only be achieved by supporting and promoting excellent school attendance for all. Only by attending school regularly and punctually will children and young people be able to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. High attainment depends on good attendance. The whole school community – students, parents & carers, teaching & support staff and school governors, have a responsibility for ensuring good school attendance and all have important roles to play.

Attendance registers are completed at the start of each morning and afternoon session, with the information then being collated and analysed by our attendance officers. Our school monitors each child’s level of attendance and holds meetings with parents when absence causes concern in line with Attendance Policy (see Policies page)

At Clarendon Federation we have very high standards, and this includes our expectation of full attendance and punctuality to school and lessons. Parents have a legal duty to ensure that their children attend school full-time. It is often recognised that high levels of school attendance are closely linked with better student attainment, wellbeing, and sense of community / belonging. Where absence falls below expected levels, we work closely with parents, students and wider agencies to remove barriers and increase attendance, as appropriate.

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New Penalty Notice Code of Conduct and Consultation

A national Framework for penalty Notices for school absence, including unauthorised holiday absence, is being introduced following changes to the law. These new government regulations will come into effect from 19th August 2024

Families will have received an important update letter from Wiltshire Council with an update regarding changes to the penalty notice code of conduct for school absence.

What are these changes?

  1. There will be a new national threshold of 10 unauthorised sessions for any reason (equivalent to 5 school days) within a rolling 10 school week period for when a penalty notice must be considered.
  2. The new rules mean you will no longer be able to take your child out of school for one week’s holiday without a penalty notice being issued.
  3. There will be an increase in the penalty fine from £60 to £80 if paid in 21 days. If the fine is not paid by the first 21 days, it will rise to £160 if paid within 28 days of being issued.
  4. If a second penalty fine is issued to the same parent for the same child within a 3-year rolling period, the fine will automatically rise to £160 with no option to pay the lower rate of £80.
  5. If a parent then commits a third offence in a 3-year rolling period, the local authority will need to consider other enforcement options available to them.

Head teachers can use discretion to consider leave in exceptional circumstances only. 

In order for consideration to be given, requests for absence must be for exceptional circumstances only.

Exceptional circumstances could include:

  • Service personnel returning from a tour of duty abroad where it is evidenced the individual will not be in receipt of any leave in the near future that coincides with school holidays.
  • Where an absence from school is recommended by a health professional as part of a parent or child’s rehabilitation from a medical or emotional issue.
  • The death or terminal illness of a person close to the family.
  • To attend a wedding or funeral of a person close to the family.
  • Where there are exceptional and unforeseen circumstances that fall outside of 1 to 4 above, the headteacher agrees to consult with the education welfare officer prior to any authorisation being given to the parent. The education welfare officer will discuss each case with the Head of school and Attendance officer and will make a recommendation to the referring school.

Please note: Evidence would be required in each case.

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Schools need to consider the potential negative impact that any absence can have on a child's academic progress, even if a child's attendance is good. Absence will affect the child’s progress at school and also disrupt the learning of other children when the child returns and tries to catch up with missed work.

Reporting an Illness 

You may need to consider if your child is well enough to attend school. If you are unsure please use the following guidance to support you; https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/

Please only report absences via telephone and preferably before 9.45am:

  • Telephone the Infant school on 01980 843381
  • Telephone the Junior school on 01980 607007

Exceptional Circumstances Known in Advance

In such circumstances, the parents must write in advance to the Associate Executive Head, explaining the situation and requesting permission for authorised absence. The school follows the local authority’s attendance code. Absence from school can either be authorised by the school or unauthorised:

  • AUTHORISED ABSENCE will include genuine illness, medical appointments, music exams, special tuition, approved public performances, work experience, interviews, non-arrival of school transport, immediate family bereavements, exclusion of students, and some family holidays that have the prior approval of the headteacher.
  • UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE (i.e. permission has NOT been given by the school) includes unauthorised holidays in term time (see below), truancy, caring for brothers and sisters, visits to relatives, long weekends, shopping, excess of time on holiday over that agreed with the school, and arrival in school after the start of the school day.

Parents should not expect that schools would automatically agree to an absence from school during term time. All requests are at the discretion of the Head Teacher and can only be authorised by the Associate Executive Head or the member of staff with designated authority in the absence of the Associate Executive Head.

Family Holidays in Term Time

Parents should arrange family holidays only during school holiday periods. If there are exceptional circumstances, parents should write to the headteacher to seek permission before making holiday arrangements in term time.

If a student has five or more days of unauthorised holiday absence within a six-month period of the current academic year, the school must notify the local authority and a penalty notice will be issued to each parent. If the absence is not authorised you risk a £80 penalty notice per child,  per parent if paid within the 21 days or £160 if paid up to 28 days.

Making a Request for Absence

It is important that parents discuss any plans for term time absence with the Associate Executive Head before making any bookings. We have a form for such absence requests that can be obtained from the school office.

Further Details or Clarification

In the first instance, parents should talk to their child’s school. Alternatively, the penalty notice officer can be contacted on 01722 438123.