School attendance

School attendance is important for your child, both in terms of their education as well as for their well-being and life opportunities. Solihull Attendance and EHE Advisory Team is committed to supporting children to attend school and help them to achieve a successful future.

School attendance matters

New statutory guidance introduced in August 24 highlights that parents are legally responsible for their child’s school attendance. It is important that you notify your child’s school if they are absent or if they are having issues attending school. School will support children who find attending school challenging. For persistent absence (attendance under 90%) or severe (under 50%) school may seek advice and guidance with the Local Authority to attempt to break down barriers to attendance.

However, if your child misses school for an unacceptable reason you may receive a penalty fine or be prosecuted.

Leave during term time and the law around school attendance

A holiday or family event is not a good enough reason for your child to miss out on school. You need to seek permission from the school prior to taking any leave of absence. Any absences that are not authorised by the school may be referred to the Attendance Enforcement Team for a fine or prosecution. The trigger for a fine is 10 sessions of unauthorised absence within a 10 week rolling period. This could be a mixture of unauthorised holiday as well as other unauthorised absences. Late arrival to school in certain circumstances may also be included.

A fine is £160. The first fine is reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days. A second fine within 3 years will be charged at £160 with no reduced rate. A 3rd fine will not be issued within 3 years and further unauthorised absences may result in prosecution. They are issued to both parents/carers for each child and must be paid in full, we will not accept part payment of the amount. Not paying the fine could lead to prosecution.

The Attendance Enforcement Team may decide to go straight to prosecution if they do not feel a fine is appropriate.

Prosecution can lead to:

Up to £1000 fine and a criminal record

In certain circumstances the Attendance Enforcement Team may decide to prosecute you for a more serious offence. This can be:

A fine of up to £2,500 per parent per child
A Community Order or custodial sentence
A criminal record

What should I do if I am having difficulties getting my child to school?

If you are having difficulty getting your child to school or think there may be a reason why your child does not want to go to school, you should always speak to the school. Schools will work with the Attendance EHE and Advisory Team to support children and families to attend school.

Arriving late for school

Schools take a register twice a day, first thing in the morning and in the afternoon.

If your child is late and cannot provide an explanation then it may be marked as an unauthorised absence. If you child is late on multiple occasions this could result in legal action.