Attendance
In Shropshire Council, we are committed to working alongside families to ensure every child has the best chance to succeed through regular school attendance. We understand that challenges can arise, and our priority is to offer early intervention with compassionate support to help overcome barriers and keep children engaged in learning. By working in partnership with parents, schools, and local services, we aim to create a positive and inclusive environment where attendance is valued and every child feels safe, supported, and ready to thrive.
Our team of Education Welfare Officers have a presence throughout Shropshire, they help children attend school on time, every day, to fulfil their potential. They work collaboratively with schools, academies and Independent settings.
Attendance
Working together to improve school attendance
This guidance is statutory, and schools, trusts, governing bodies, and local authorities must have regard to it as part of their efforts to maintain high levels of school attendance. Our team supports intervention first as part of this guidance, working jointly with schools and partner agencies to achieve positive support plans for pupils.
Pupil absence
Shropshire Local Penalty Notice Code of Conduct September 2024
It's known that missing school for any reason can cause a child to fall behind in their learning. Sometimes children will find it difficult to settle back into school after a break.
When children are taken out of school during term not only does the education of the individual child suffer, but it can cause disruption to the rest of the class, with teachers having to repeat work and give extra help so that the pupil can catch up. There are 190 school days in an academic year, leaving 175 days free for families to take holidays. Not taking into account other absences, just taking a fortnight’s holiday each year means that, between the ages of five to 16, a child would miss around half an academic year of learning.
What does the law say?
As of 1 September 2013 there has been a change in the The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. Where there used to be an option for headteachers to grant leave of absence for the purpose of a family holiday during term time in ‘special circumstances’ of up to ten days in a year, this has been removed.
Headteachers are now only allowed to authorise any leave of absence when an application has been made in advance, and it's felt to be for an exceptional circumstance. The annual family holiday wouldn't be deemed an exceptional circumstance.
What should I do if I wish to request a leave of absence?
You should contact your child's school to find out how to make a request for permission. We'd strongly recommend that you do this before planning any leave of absence.
Who should make the request?
The request should be made by the parent or carer with whom the child lives. This is the case even where it's another person who wishes to take the child out of school.