School attendance

When it comes to attending school, you should remember:

• Low attendance means a lower chance of getting into further education and employment
• Good attendance means higher grades and better chances in life
• Missing the odd day can become a habit
• Every lesson in school matters and if you have time off you may find it difficult to catch up
• Absences for medical appointments should be requested as far in advance as possible and your parents / carers should try to make routine appointments (for example dental check ups) during school holidays or after school hours
• School is a great place to have fun and make new friends and it can give you improved confidence
• There is a strong link between non-attendance and street crime and / or substance abuse
• Attending school improves your health. It encourages good social skills, helps you create friendships and will also help you physically through regular exercise
• Lateness equals lost learning. Five minutes every day adds up to over three days lost each year

It can be tricky to decide whether your child is too ill for school. For guidance see, NHS: Is my child too ill for school.

If a child of compulsory school age who is a registered pupil at a school fails to attend regularly at the school, his / her parent or carer is guilty of an offence under s.444 (1) Education Act 1996.

Penalty notices are issued when a child misses school without permission. This includes:

• parentally condoned absence
• absence in term-time, which has not been authorised by the school
• continuous lateness, after the register has closed
• delayed return from absence
• being in a public place during school hours without permission

Penalty notices can be issued to:

• all biological parents, whether they are married or not
• any person who has parental responsibility for child or young person (including non biological parents)
• any person who has care of a child or young person (including non biological parents)

Pay a fixed penalty

Penalty notices for unauthorised absences after 19 August 2024

From 19 August 2024, a maximum of two penalty notices will be allowed within a 3 year period. This begins from the date of the first penalty notice.

Penalty notices may be issued to each parent / carer for each child who has 10 unauthorised sessions of absence (equal to 5 school days) in a 10 week period. 

For example, 3 children have 10 unauthorised absences over a 10 week period - this may result in each parent / carer being issued with 3 separate penalty notices.

First offence

Penalty notice one will mean a £160 fine if paid within 28 days of issue. This is discounted to £80 if paid within 21 days of issue.

If you don't pay the penalty notice within 28 days you may be prosecuted in the Magistrates Court.

Second offence

Penalty notice two will mean a fine of £160 if paid within 28 days of issue.

If you don't pay the penalty notice within 28 days you may be prosecuted in the Magistrates Court.

Third offence

If a third offence is committed within a 3 year period you may be prosecuted at the Magistrates Court. Prosecution can result in a criminal record and fines of up to £2,500. This can show up on your DBS certificate.

For more information, see the Code of conduct for education related penalty notices.

If you are concerned that a child may be truanting and you are aware which school they go to, please contact the school directly. 

The school will tell the Council if appropriate. 

Or, you can contact the Council's Attendance Monitoring team on 0191 424 7400.

Please give as much information as possible so the team can investigate. 

If you are concerned about the safety or behaviour of young people, contact the Police on 101.

The Council's Attendance Monitoring team does not have the right to approach young people in the street.

The South Tyneside Attendance team has a statutory duty and responsbility for school attendance. They promote regular attendance for all children of statutory school age in South Tyneside.

To view the process that the Attendance team and schools will use surrounding absences, see Absence management guidance.

If you would like to talk to someone about attendance, or any other related issues, speak to the attendance officer at your school or contact the Council's Attendance Monitoring team on 0191 424 7400.

More information about national regulation and legislation around school attendance can be found at GOV.UK: Schools.

For details on information you provide the team, see the Attendance Monitoring team privacy notice.