Bellemoor School | Southampton

Dear Parent

Penalty Notices in Cases of Non-Attendance at School

Section 23 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 gave Local Education Authorities the power to issue Penalty Notices in cases where parents do not take responsibility for ensuring their childs attendance at school.  Unpaid Penalty Notices automatically trigger prosecution under the Education Act 1996 and will be introduced in Bellemoor School from the beginning of the 2005/2006 academic year, in September 2005.

In brief, a Penalty Notice may be issued under the following circumstances:

1. When pupils are identified on more than one truancy sweep, or returned to school by the Police on more than one occasion, in an academic year.
2. Unauthorised absence.
3. Unauthorised holidays in term time.
4. Persistent late arrival, after close of registration.
5. Key Stage 4 pupils on the Fast Track to Prosecution who fail to achieve the required improvement in attendance.
6. During Education Welfare intervention, in cases where parent(s) persistently refuse to meet with either school staff or the Education Welfare Officer.

A full copy of Southamptons Code of Conduct for the use of Penalty Notices in Cases of Non-Attendance at School can be obtained from either the Education Welfare Service or the school.  An information leaflet is also enclosed.

Paragraph about previous poor attendance history if the school want this.

The intention of Southampton City Council is not to increase the number of prosecutions we pursue against parents/carers, but to improve school attendance in the city which, in turn, will increase achievement and enable children to reach their full potential.

If you are experiencing difficulty in securing your childs regular attendance at school I would urge you to speak with your childs Head of House at the earliest opportunity.  Alternatively you may prefer to contact the Education Welfare Service on (023) 8083 3279.

I would urge every parent not to allow issues to remain unresolved so that attendance problems become entrenched and are then harder to tackle.  Please speak to the school if your child is experiencing any difficulties that may affect his education and we can work together to resolve them.

Please click here for Penalty Notice from Southampton City Council or click here for Polish translation

Yours sincerely

C. Ellins (Ms)
Headteacher