Parents in England who take their children out of school without permission will face higher fines to improve school attendance post-pandemic. The Department for Education will consider fines if a pupil misses five days of school without authorization. Fines will now start at £80, rising to £160, an increase from £60 to £120. Nearly 400,000 penalty notices were issued in 2022-23, mainly for unauthorized holidays during term time. To ensure appropriate fine issuance, official guidance will be provided, and a national framework will be established. Every state school will share daily attendance registers with authorities to identify children at risk of persistent absence. Attendance hubs were launched in 2021 to improve attendance strategies, and a new national attendance ambassador has been appointed. While some support the fine increase, others caution about its effectiveness.
Key Points:
- Higher fines implemented for unauthorized pupil absences in England.
- Fines start at £80 and rise to £160 for missing five days of school.
- Nearly 400,000 penalty notices issued in 2022-23, primarily for unauthorized holidays.
- Official guidance expected to clarify when financial penalties should be issued.
- State schools to share daily attendance registers to identify at-risk children.
- National framework to address inconsistencies in fine usage.
- Attendance hubs launched in 2021 to improve attendance strategies.
- New national attendance ambassador appointed to oversee initiatives.
- Some support the fine increase, while others question its effectiveness.
Question:
What alternative strategies could be implemented to address unauthorized pupil absences besides increasing fines?