Definition of a Parent

All natural parents, whether they are married or not,

Any person who has parental responsibility for a child or young person,

Any person who accepts day to day care of a child or young person i.e. lives with and looks after the child.

Medical Evidence

The Compass Primary Academy requires medical evidence for all absences to be authorised, where a pupil’s attendance has fallen below 90%. Medical evidence examples are; appointment cards, letters, compliment slips or the medication packaging.

Issuing of Penalty Notices

Any application for leave must only be in exceptional circumstances and the Principal must be satisfied that the circumstances are exceptional and warrant the granting of leave. Principals would not be expected to class any term time holiday as exceptional.

Parents can be fined by the local authority for taking their child on holiday during term time

A Penalty Notice results in

It is important that parents understand that the initial penalty notice of £60 is issued to each parent for each child. A two-parent family with two children would be fined £240.

If the penalty is not paid in full by the end of a 28-day period, the Local Authority will instigate Court Proceedings and the outcome of a prosecution could be up to £1,000 per parent/adult.