Children who fail to attend school with no explanation from their parents or carers are truants.
The Government expects all children to attend at least 90% of their school lessons.
Absence from school without any parental explanation is called unauthorised absence. You can be prosecuted if your child’s school absence is unauthorised.
To help make sure parents are aware of any unauthorised absences, your child’s school will write to you if they are absent for more than three days. They will work with you and the Education Welfare service to help sort the problem out.
If your child is unable to attend school for a genuine reason, such as a doctors or hospital appointment, you should let the school know by phone or letter. This type of absence is known as authorised absence.
Parents are encouraged to ask for no more than two weeks authorised absence in any school year for their child.
Contact
tel: 0300 500 80 80
e-mail: ewsnorth42.ed@nottscc.gov.uk
post: Senior Education Welfare Officer, Children and Young People’s Services, Meadow House, Littleworth, Mansfield, Notts NG18 2TA
web: Information about attendance and absence
