What can I do to improve my child’s attendance? 

Ensure that your child is up sufficiently early in the morning to get to school without being late.

• Shepton Mallet Community Infants’ School expects all pupils to be on site by 8.50am for registration each day with the school opening at 8.40am. 

Ensure that your child is well rested by getting them to bed at an appropriate time. 

Regular and punctual attendance at school is a legal requirement under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996. It is essential that parents make the most of the educational opportunities available to their children and provide the best possible start in life. 

If a pupil has unauthorised absence of 10 sessions (5 days) or more, in any 12 week period (where no acceptable reason has been given for the absence) or a child persistently arrives late for school after the close of registration, their parents or carers may receive a Penalty Notice fine of £60 per parent per child, which must be paid within 28 days.

If payment is made after 28 days but within 42 days, the penalty is increased to £120. Failure to pay the fine may result in prosecution and an additional fine of up to £2500 or up to 3 months imprisonment.