The Government Definition of Persistent Absence
Dear Parent/Carer
Government Definition of Persistent Absence
I am writing on behalf of the Local Authority to remind parent/carers of the changes imposed by the Government regarding Persistent Absence. As of September 2015 the Department for Education (DfE) announced that any student whose attendance falls below 90% will be classed as a Persistently Absent student. Therefore, if a student misses 19 or more days over an academic year they will be classed as Persistently Absent.
The DfE say…
“If over 5 academic years a pupil has attendance of 90% the child will miss a half of a school year, that’s a lot of lost education.Pupils taking unauthorised leave of absence early in the year could be categorised as persistently absent well into half term five but have perfect attendance from their return date onwards.
As parents play an essential role in supporting attendance the changes to persistent absence need to be shared with them”
The DfE also informed schools that this information must be placed on school websites and published in newsletters or a letter.
The school is required to take action should a student’s attendance become a cause for concern. Such action may include Penalty Notice and possible prosecution by the Local Authority.
In order to ensure parent/carers are fully informed we will issue regular updates via text messages, letters or telephone calls should attendance fall below 90% at key points in the school year.
Thank you once again for your support.
Yours sincerely
Mr J Cregg
Headteacher
