Management Information Sheet

There have been a number of discussions and meetings in recent weeks with school colleagues regarding attendance. Having listened to schools who are trying to meet Ofsted expectations of them and monitoring national developments there is to be a change the AIO referral criteria for schools.

From 4th November the criteria will be
85% attendance or less, with at least 15% unauthorised absence over a six week period
OR
10 consecutive unauthorised absence sessions.

In order to operate the system schools will need to send a warning letter to all parents, in future we recommend that this is done at the start of the school year (an example of what could be sent is attached), include information in their school prospectus (if they have one) and on their school website as well as providing regular reminders throughout the school year. If a pupil joins the school mid-term their parents will be given a copy of the warning letter as part of the induction pack. This letter will be part of the evidence pack that will be used in the legal case if the issue goes to the Magistrates' Courts.

If a case is referred on the basis of 85% attendance or less with at least 15% unauthorised absence over a 6 week period and the school would like a Fixed Penalty Notice to be issued the school will need to provide a copy of the warning letter sent to parents and the date it was issued, a letter the school has written to the parents expressing concern about the level of attendance and the amount of unauthorised absence the pupil has had and a copy of the "pupils herringbone" to show that the absences have been unauthorised.

If the case is referred on the basis of 10 consecutive unauthorised absence sessions, a Fixed Penalty Notice would be issued but the school will need to provide a copy of the warning letter sent to parents and the date it was issued, if the absence is due to a holiday in term time the request from the parents for time off for the holiday, the refusal to have the time off letter and a copy of the "pupils herringbone" to show that the absences have been unauthorised.

Obviously schools can still undertake Fast Track to improve attendance but this could now be commenced at an earlier stage.

Cases can be discussed with your divisional Attendance Improvement Officer and requests for a Fixed Penalty Notice can be made with the supporting evidence listed to Emma Lewis Court Officer for processing. (Emma Lewis Court Officer Level 1 Carrow House, King Street, Norwich NR1 2TN)

If you have any queries regarding the change in referral criteria please do not hesitate to contact me.