What is the law on attendance?

Under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, all children of compulsory school age (between 5-16) must receive a suitable full-time education. As a parent, you are responsible for ensuring that this happens, either by registering your child at a school or by making appropriate alternative arrangements. A parent who fails in this duty is guilty of an offence under Section 444(1) of this act.
Once you have registered your child at a school, you are also legally responsible for ensuring that your child attends school regularly. If you fail to do this – even if your child truants without your knowledge – legal action can be taken against you by the Local Authority.

Ensuring regular attendance at school is important and the consequences of breaking the law are serious.

Please see below a link to the DFE guidance on attendance which has been updated on 19th August 2024:
School attendance | warrington.gov.uk

Following this update please also click here to view the letter from Warrington Borough Council Attendance Team.