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<p>Section 444 of the Education Act 1996 states that it is an offence for parents of school registered pupils to fail to secure their attendance at school. Subsection (6) provides that it is a defence if the parents can prove that, (a) the child has no fixed abode, (b) the parent's job requires them to travel and that the child has attended as regularly as the job permits, and (c) where the child is at least six years of age, that the child has made at least 200 attendances. With the aim of improving the average poor school attendance and levels of attainment for pupils from of Gypsy, Roma and Travelling communities, the Department consulted on whether or not to repeal subsection (6) of the Act. The consultation documents can be viewed at the following link:</p><p>https://www.education.gov.uk/consultations/index.cfm?action=conResults&consultationId=1851&external =no&menu=3</p><p>The formal public consultation ran from 30 November 2012 to 22 February 2013. It was a public consultation directed at schools, local authorities, Travelling communities and included a child-friendly version. We are continuing to hold consultative meetings with members of the travelling community, stakeholders and interested groups to discuss this sensitive and complex issue. The Government is now carefully considering the facts and issues to support educational improvements for children from these communities, and aims to publish a response shortly.</p> |