Regular attendance at school will help your child get the most from their education.Pupils who attend regularly are likely to leave school with more qualifications and greater access to employment opportunities. Avoidable absences, such as term-time holidays, disrupt your child’s learning.You also have a legal duty to secure your child’s regular and punctual attendance at school.Pupils who miss around 10% of school sessions, whether the absence is authorised or unauthorised, are considered persistent absentees.If you fail to secure your child’s regular attendance, you could be prosecuted under section 444 of the Education Act 1996. If found guilty, you could face:
a fine of up to £2,500 and/or
three months imprisonment plus legal costs
if convicted, you could get a criminal record
A 90% attendance means children miss 19 days of education in a year – and risk dropping one grade at GCSEs. Five C grades become Five D grades.
