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Holidays during term time
The law states that parents or carers do not have a right to take their child out of school for a holiday during term time. Term time holidays in Sheffield will not be authorised unless there are exceptional reasons. If you take your child out of school without the school's permission, you may be issued with a penalty fine.
Penalty Notice Fines for School Attendance are Changing!
With the introduction of the new National Framework for Penalty Notices, the below changes will come into force for Penalty Notice Fines issued after 19th August 2024.
Education Penalty Notices are issued to the parents of statutory school age children.
Per Parent, Per Child
Penalty Notice Fines will now be issued to each parent, for each child that was absent.
For example: 3 siblings absent for term time leave, would result in each parent receiving 3 separate fines.
5 consecutive days of term time leave
Penalty Notice Fines will be issued for Term Time Leave of 5 or more consecutive days. Inset training days are school days and can be included in the 5 or more consecutive days where there was intent to be absent for term time leave.
10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a 10-week period
Penalty Notice Fines will be considered when there has been 10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a 10 week period.
First Offence
The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time Leave or Irregular Attendance the amount will be:
£160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days.
Reduced to £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days.
Second Offence (within 3 years)
The second time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time Leave or Irregular Attendance the amount will be:
£160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days.
Third Offence and Any Further Offences (within 3 years)
The third time an offence is committed for Term Time Leave or Irregular Attendance a Penalty Notice will not be issued, and the case will be presented straight to the Magistrates’ Court. Magistrates’ fines can be up to £2500 per parent, per child.
Cases found guilty in Magistrates’ Court can show on the parent’s future DBS certificate, due to ‘failure to safeguard a child’s education’.
If you have any questions, please email Sheffieldinclusion&attendance@sheffield.gov.uk
Top tips for good school attendance
- create good attendance habits from when your child first goes to nursery
- talk to your child about the importance of school for their future
- take a positive interest in your child's work, including helping them with homework
- help your child to get into a good night-time, sleep time and morning routine
- have a good relationship with school, talk to them about concerns you have and your child’s progress
- contact school on the first day of absence if your child is not able to attend
- be honest with school if your child is absent or not wanting to attend
- book all holidays in the school holidays and not in term time
- book medical appointments after school or during the school holidays. If you can’t, then make sure your child attends before and after their appointment
- prioritise school attendance over other activities and ask for help if you need it
For help and advice you can contact your child’s school or get in touch sheffieldinclusion&attendance@sheffield.gov.uk.
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