Every Day Counts!

Every single day a child is absent from school, whatever the reason, is a day of lost learning and will impact on their attainment. 95% attendance may seem like a reasonable level of attendance. However, attendance percentages can be misleading. 95% attendance still means a child misses almost two weeks in each school year.

Reasons For Absence: Term Time Leave

Whatever the reason for requesting term time leave, approving the absence is at the discretion of the Headteacher who uses Local Authority guidelines. The guidelines state that absence can only be authorised in exceptional circumstances. Holidays in term time cannot be authorised. A request for term time leave should be completed for any leave regardless of length of time, especially if it is planned in advance. Communication is important – keeping the school informed of and limiting any requests for absence, will help avoid any future attendance issues. In the event of a family emergency, it is important that the school is informed so that relevant support can be put in place. If leave is taken without prior notification then this will not be authorised and as with all unauthorised absence may result in a warning notice being sent or actioned (depending on length of absence)

What To Do if My Child is Ill

The school understands that sometimes taking a day off for illness is sometimes necessary. However students can still attend school when suffering from minor ailments such as: common cold, headache or tiredness.

1. Telephone the school and inform reception of the nature of the illness on each day your child does not attend.

2. It is very helpful for you to provide medical evidence in the form of appointment information, including telephone consultations for ongoing absence. There are no particular guidelines regarding how long your child should be absent if they are off school due to a vomiting illness, but we would ask that you use your discretion as to your child’s fitness for school.

Medical Appointments – Doctor/Dentist

Please make routine appointments for the doctor or dentist outside of school hours. If this is not possible please avoid taking your child out for the whole day. Sometimes it may be necessary to have other medical appointments. These are usually planned and it is helpful if the school has a copy of the medical letter/ appointment kept on your child’s file, especially if there are ongoing medical concerns. Please inform the school as soon as possible and try to ensure your child attends school if able to, before or after the appointment. For ongoing or repeated absence due to illness, medical evidence will be requested by the school to ensure the correct support is in place.

What Happens When Attendance Becomes a Cause For Concern?

Attendance and punctuality of all students is monitored regularly by our Attendance Officer, Attendance Lead and the pastoral team including Heads of Year and Aspire Leads. Parents should expect a letter from Ms Bennett as Attendance Officer if a student is regularly late to school or has attendance below 96%. Our Attendance protocol provides a graduated response to non-attendance or punctuality issues. Students will be placed on Attendance support plans by our Attendance team with clear targets for improvement. Monitoring will continue for 15 days, after which time further letters/interventions may be required.

Sanctions and interventions will vary depending on reasons for absence and the amount of authorised/unauthorised absence in the given time period. The Educational Safeguarding Service support and advise the school on all attendance matters at regular intervals throughout the school year. Attendance is monitored weekly and persistent attendance of below 96% in a given period could mean that the following will also occur:

1. Late detentions to make up for learning time lost.
2. Attendance meetings with students and/or parents to discuss attendance issues.
3. Attendance support plans (ASP 1 - 4) completed with student and/or parents depending on level of non attendance.
4. Attendance mentoring with our Attendance Officer to support improvement.
5. Advice from Educational Safeguarding Service as to additional support/interventions required.
6. Warning period given and/or warning penalty issued.
7. Referral to ‘Team Around the School’ – a meeting for external agencies who support children.
8. Referral to Educational Safeguarding Service.
9. Legal action if no improvement occurs.

How Can You Support Your Child To Attend?

1. Establish clear routines in the morning and evening so your child feels ready and prepared for school.

2. Make sure they attend regularly – this prevents a pattern for non-attendance developing.

3. Make sure they get to school on time.

4. Arrange medical / dental appointments outside of school hours.

5. Take holidays outside of term time.

6. Attend school events. This will provide a good home - school link.

7. Communicate regularly with us. Let us know of any issues so we can support accordingly.