Late / Absence Procedures

As in all schools within the Romsey Partnership of schools, we encourage a high level of attendance and punctuality.

Please click on the link to read the letter sent out in February 2024 to all Romsey parents:  Joint Attendance Letter updated Feb 24- Primary

Regular and punctual attendance at school is a legal requirement. If your child is sick, please inform the school office promptly before  9am.

If you wish to take your child out of school for any other reason you will need to seek authorisation from the Headteacher. A form is available for this purpose in the school office. Holidays taken during term time will not be authorised but a form must still be completed so we know the whereabouts of your child.

If we do not know the whereabouts of your child, we will follow our safeguarding procedures which involve: truancy texts and calls, home visits or even reports to the Police.

If a Penalty Notice is issued, it is done so in accordance with Hampshire County Council’s Code of Conduct. Once issued is out of the hands of the school and dealt with by Hampshire County Council. Circumstances in which a penalty notice may be issued include:

  • when a pupil of compulsory school age has been absent or late and the absence or lateness has not been authorised by the school.
  • when a pupil is absent for 10 or more half-day sessions (five school days) of unauthorised absence during any 100 possible school sessions – these do not need to be consecutive.
  • persistently late before the close of the register.
  • absent for any public examinations of which dates are published in advance.

If paid within 21 days of receipt of the Penalty Notice, the penalty is £60 per parent per child. If not paid within 21 days the penalty is automatically increased to £120 per parent per child to be paid within 28 days. It is likely that non payment will result in prosecution.

Any revenue resulting from payment of penalties will be retained by the County Council and is used to cover enforcement costs.