Introduce an independent appeals panel for school absences
As it stands, the decision whether a school absence is authorised or not lies solely with the headteacher or designated attendance officer. If this person deems the absence as not "exceptional" enough, or marks an illness absence as unauthorised, there is no formal right of appeal for parents.
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- 11 MAR 2026Government respondedDepartment for EducationGovernment reply
The Government has no plans to introduce an independent national appeals panel for school absences and believes there are already sufficient routes for parents to challenge inaccurate absence coding.
Read full response - 08 FEB 2026