Absence Reporting

The Marshland School Day consists of two sessions – morning and afternoon. To report your child absent from school, please call the school on the morning of each day of absence to explain the reason for non-attendance.

If you child has an appointment during the school day, please ensure you inform the school and provide evidence of the appointment to allow us to record their absence correctly.

Attendance 

Research commissioned by the Department for Education shows missing school for even a day can mean a child is less likely to achieve good grades, which can have a damaging effect on their life chances. At Marshland High School our aim is to work with parents to ensure that all our pupils receive the most from their education and reach their full potential with 100% attendance.

Parents and carers are required by law to ensure that their child attends school regularly. The Government remains very clear that no child should miss school apart from in exceptional circumstances and schools must continue to take steps to reduce absence to support children’s attainment.

The Local Authority operates a system where any pupil meeting the criteria for legal intervention listed below will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice:

• 9 consecutive sessions of unauthorised absence where some or all of the absence may be attributed to an unauthorised holiday in term-time.

Any pupil at Marshland High School who meets either of the criteria, will be referred to the Local Authority for action to be considered.

If a Fixed Penalty Notice is issued the fine is £60 per parent per child which must be paid in one payment within 21 days.  If a Notice is unpaid within 21 days, the fine will double to £120 per parent per child if paid within 28 days. If a fixed penalty notice fine is not paid in full within the timescale set out above, the Local Authority is required to start legal proceedings against parents in the local Magistrates Court for the offence of failing to ensure their child has attended school regularly.
The letter below gives further details regarding attendance at school and the issuing of penalty notices:

Attendance at School and Legal Intervention - Letter to Parents - 2023