1. We would like to request school names within borough who have issued leaflet to parents about "New Statuary guidance" around attendance with Text as listed below;

"The Government has introduced new statuary guidance for schools with a view to improving attendance. This comes into force in September. I would like to draw your attention to key points which may affect families, in particular there are changes to how Fixed Penalty Notices are administered. "

Up until now every Local Council has been able to decide how to administer the issuing of Penalty Notices, which has led to an inconsistency across boroughs. This has been brought under a national framework. If a pupil has an unauthorised absence from school for an extended period, or a number of unauthorised absences split over a 10 week period, the Local Authority may issue a Penalty Notice.

On the first occasion a Penalty Notice is issued, parents will be required to:
• Pay £80 within 21 days of receipt of the notice
• If it is not paid within 21 days the fine raises to £160
• If it is not paid within 28 days parents will be automatically summoned to Court.

Penalty Notices are issued per parent, per child – so if, for example, a family of four go on holiday for one week, the total fine will be £320 if paid within 21 days. If the fine is paid no further action is taken. Please see below regarding what happens if parents take the matter to court instead of paying the fine."
Wokingham Borough Council do not hold this information. School and Academies are legally separate entities under the Freedom of Information legislation and the information would need to be sought directly from them. They are responsible for issuing their own communications and material.

This appears to be in relation to the upcoming national changes that will take place in August and standardizing the processes. https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/02/29/fines-for-parents-for-taking-children-out-of-school-what-you-need-to-know/