Bridgend Council is set to update its school attendance policies (pdf). This is due to changes at an all-Wales level, as well as the council’s own school attendance goals.

Pupils aged between 5 and 16 whose attendance falls below 90% will be referred to the council’s Education Engagement Team (EET). The EET will decide whether to issue a fine to the pupils’ parents or guardians.

A fine (£60 if paid within 28 days; rising to £120 if paid within 42 days) will be considered if (pdf):

• The pupil has been absent for at least 5 school days (10 morning and afternoon sessions) in succession during a term.
• A pupil has been persistently late for 10 sessions (not necessarily consecutive) during a term.
• Parents haven’t engaged with Education Welfare Officers to improve attendance.
• A pupil has been taken on a term-time holiday without the approval of their school’s headteacher.
• A pupil has been regularly coming to the attention of the police for truancy.

Parents/guardians will normally be given a written warning that a fine is being considered, and given 15 days to respond. This would give them enough time to provide evidence justifying an absence (i.e. medical reasons).

Before a fine is issued, the pupil’s circumstances would be taken into consideration. These circumstances include additional learning needs plans, the impact a fine would have on the household and how engaged parents/guardians have been on attendance.

The only instance in which a fine would be issued automatically – without any warning or response period – is an unauthorised term-time holiday.

A fine can be withdrawn in a limited number of circumstances, but there’s no right to appeal and no limit on the number of fines (or warnings) that can be issued. Non-payment of fines could lead to criminal prosecution.