Attendance & Absences
Parents are expected by the Department of Education to:
Ensure that their child attends every day the school is open except when a statuatory reason applies.
Notify the school as soon as possible when their child has to be unepectedly absent (e.g. sickness).
Only request leave of absence in exceptional circumstances and do so in advance.
Book any medical appointments around the school day where possible.
What should I do if my child is off sick?
If your child is ill, you must ring school, preferably leaving a message on the school absence line (School Number 01902558787 and press option 1). You need to do this every day that they are absent unless we have spoken with you and know the day that you are due back e.g. 48 hours after a sickness bug. If we do not hear from you, an absence text will be sent- you are not able to reply to this.
If your child is off for longer than two days, you may be asked to provide medical evidence or it will be deemed an unauthorised absence.
Can I book a holiday in term time?
We understand that, at times, your child may be unwell and unable to attend school, therefore our attendance target is 97%. Research shows that excellent attendance and punctuality are important factors in achieving school success, therefore our aim is to work with parents to ensure the highest possible attendance for each child.
Attendance is continually monitored by the Educational Welfare Officer (EWO), our administrative staff and the Senior Leadership Team. If attendance drops below 95%, you will be sent a letter to make you aware and to stress the importance of your child being at school. If attendance continues to fall, you be invited in to meet with the EWO and our Family Support Worker for an Early Help meeting to try and understand why your child is absent so often and if there is any support we can offer. Non attendance at that meeting and a continuation of absence will result in your case being referred to the legal team in the council who will decide whether to prosecute or not.
What happens if my child is late?
What parents may not see as an attendance issue is punctuality. We can often have children arriving late to school each day.
If your child is persistently late, this will count against their attendance as it is also monitored by the EWO. Ten minutes late every day adds up to a whole lesson missed every week.
Holidays cannot be authorised unless there are real exceptional circumstances. Good attendance through the year is not a justification to be authorised a holiday. Any days taken beyond the authorised absence is deemed unauthorised and will be penalised. If attendance is poor, holidays will not be authorised even in exceptional circumstances. Although guidance states it is up to the Headteacher to authorise or not, we have strict advice from the DfE not to beyond exceptional reasons.
Any unauthorised leave of absence is reviewed by the EWO and if this goes beyond five days, then legal action becomes likely. If your child is not in school for a period of time and we have not had communication with you, then your child may also be deemed as ‘Missing from Education’ and police and social services have to be informed.
The Department of Education, along with the Local Authroity expects us as a school to pay particular attention to persistently and severely absent pupils.
Persistent absence refers to pupils who miss 10% or more of school
Severe absence refers to pupils who miss 50% or more of school.
What do I do about medical appointments?
As recommended by the Department for Education and Local Authority, doctor and dentist appointments should be made outside school hours. Only hospital appointments that are sent to you that you cannot rearrange should be taken in school time. Please inform the school office with proof of appointment and arrange a time of pick up with them, not the class teacher.