To ensure regular school attendance, alongside statutory duties, to issue Penalty Notices and Prosecutions under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996 and the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 amendment.
Working closely with partner agencies to ensure appropriate actions are delivered as early intervention and prevention measures.
Further information can be found under section 19 of the Education Act 1996.
The team can be contacted on 01865 323513 or attendance@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Named contacts
- (Countywide) Dawn Softley Snr CAT officer - dawn.softley@oxfordshire.gov.uk
- (North/West) Thomas Watson - thomas.watson@oxfordshire.gov.uk
- (North/West) Vanessa Martin - vanessa.martin@oxfordshire.gov.uk
- (South) Faith Mwangi - faith.mwangi@oxfordshire.gov.uk
- (South) Julieanne Law - julieanne.law@oxfordshire.gov.uk
- (City/Special Schools) Shay Lawrence - shay.lawrence@oxfordshire.gov.uk
- (City) Viki Papparides - viki.papparides@oxfordshire.gov.uk
To support schools with the implementation of working together to improve school attendance.
Attendance concerns: Ensuring support is offered
- Support First – Initial Attendance Support Conversation Proforma (docx format, 30KB)
- Support First – Initial Attendance Support Communication (docx format, 30KB)
- Support First – Initial Attendance Support Discussion Summary (docx format, 30KB)
- Support First – Absence Call-back Prompt Sheet (docx format, 30KB)
- Support First – Pupil Check-in Template (docx format, 30KB)
- Support First – No response and no further absences (docx format, 30KB)
- Support First – No response and further absences (docx format, 30KB)
Leave of absence
- Unauthorised Absence reported as illness (docx format, 30KB)
- Leave of Absence Request Form (docx format, 30KB)
- Failed to Return following Leave of Absence (docx format, 30KB)
- Unauthorised Leave of Absence – no application (docx format, 30KB)
- Unauthorised Leave of Absence – template letter (docx format, 30KB)
Health
- GP Letter Template (docx format, 50KB)
- GP Letter Template to parents (docx format, 50KB)
- Education for children with health needs who cannot attend school
Model attendance policy
Reintegration timetables
Information for schools on setting up and notifying reintegration timetables.
Penalty notices
- Code of Practice - Issuing Penalty Notices for unauthorised absence from schools August 2024 (pdf format, 173 KB)
- Code of Practice - Issuing Penalty Notices for unauthorised absence from schools September 2022 (pdf format, 143 KB)
- Blanket holiday warning letter (docx format, 20KB)
- Penalty Notice FAQs for Parents (docx format, 94KB)
- Helping Parents understand Penalty Notice Fines for School Attendance (pdf format, 137KB)
Establishment portal
All attendance referrals and Penalty Notices for unauthorised absences must be made via the establishment portal. Supporting documentation must be attached to the relevant forms within the Portal.