As schools welcome the return of pupils this week, parents across Oldham have been warned about the risks of poor attendance which includes hefty fines this term.
Under new national rules introduced this August, the fine for school absences across the country will be £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days.
Schools can fine parents whose children have missed 10 or more sessions.
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In cases of repeated fines, if a parent receives a second fine for the same child in any three-year period, the sum increases to a higher rate of £160.
Fines per parent will be capped at two fines within any three-year period.
However, once the limit has been reached, other action like a parenting order or prosecution could be considered.
Parents who are prosecuted and attend court because their child hasn't been attending school could be slapped with a fine of up to £2,500.
Oldham Council is now encouraging parents, guardians and carers to play a "vital role" in their child's attendance ahead of the new term.
Evidence shows more time in the classroom is linked to a child's academic achievements across their education, including results at Key Stage, GCSE and A-Levels.
Other benefits to being in school regularly include the impact it can have on the child's general well-being, their wider social development and future job prospects.
The council expects all students to have at least 95 per cent attendance each year, although some individual schools expect even higher.
Last year, Oldham's average attendance rate was 94.1 per cent at primary, 91.5 per cent at secondary and 84.6 per cent in special education, with the borough's secondary rate above the comparable national average and primary just below.
The national attendance rate average for all phases was 92.8 per cent.
While absences from school, for whatever reason, are considered detrimental to a child's long-term life opportunities and should be avoided where possible, permitted absences can be granted for exceptional circumstances.
This includes instances where a child is too ill to attend, if they are observing a religious event or have issues with their mental and emotional well-being.
In this case, parents are also advised to contact Oldham CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) where specialist services are available to support children and young people.
However, should a child repeatedly fail to attend school outside of these authorised reasons, all schools can fine a pupil who has missed 10 or more sessions, or five days.
Councillor Mohon Ali, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “As parents, guardians and carers we all want the very best for our children. We want to see them reach their full potential and achieve their dreams of being future doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs.
“But we play a vital role in helping them to achieve those aspirations, and this crucially begins with us making sure they are in school learning.
“If they’re not in the classroom, they’re not learning and it’s there where they are getting the vital skills and social experiences they need to progress and develop in the future.
“So as schools reopen this week, let’s get our children back into a routine as we send them to school for another great year of learning ahead.”
Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk
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