If your child is truanting
Sometimes your child will choose not to go to school during term time or will leave school during the day without the school's permission. This is called truancy.
Tell your child's school if you think they're truanting
Please contact your child's school if you think they might be truanting. They can work with you and your child to find out why they aren't attending.
Sometimes, if the school thinks it's necessary, and you're still having trouble getting your child to attend school, they will contact an Education Welfare Officer for more help.
Find your school's contact details
What happens if your child is truanting
In Rochdale borough, we work closely with the police to check up on levels of truancy. Police officers often go out on 'truancy sweeps' where they have the right to stop and challenge school-age children who aren't in school during school hours.
Many truants are accompanied by their parents on a shopping trip or a day out. Children who aren't accompanied may be taken home or back to their school by the police.
School fines and penalties
If you take your child, or children, out of school without authorisation for 5 or more days, in a 10 week school period, we will issue you with a school attendance penalty notice.
The amount you'll be fined depends on how many times you take your child, or children, out of school without authorisation.
- The first time: you will need to pay £80 per parent, per child. If you don't pay within 28 days the amount will be increased to £160 per parent, per child.
- The second time within 3 years: you will need to pay £160 per parent, per child within 28 days. There is no reduction in payment.
- The third time within 3 years: the case will be presented directly to the magistrates’ court and a fine of up to £2,500 can be issued.
If you don't pay your penalty notice on time, we may refer the case to the magistrates' court.
Pay a school attendance penalty notice
Reasons why children stop going to school
There can be lots of reasons why a child stops attending school or refuses to go. They may be being bullied or having trouble making friends, or they may find the school work difficult.
Whatever the reason, you need to find the best way to improve their school attendance.