Attendance matters so do you!
Our vision is to achieve excellence by consistently fulfilling 100% attendance and punctuality goals.
Why getting to school on time, every day, matters!
Missing out on lessons leaves children vulnerable to falling behind.
We seek to ensure that all our pupils receive a full-time education which maximizes opportunities for each pupil to realise their true potential both socially and academically.
Over a period of five school years, a pupil with 90% attendance will have missed half of a whole year of schooling. Similarly, pupils with poor punctuality miss valuable lesson time and, if it happens regularly, progress will be jeopardised.
WHAT DOES ATTENDANCE LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
We expect outstanding attendance for all, however we do recognise that there are times when pupils will absent from school.
If attendance drops below 97%, our schools will contact parents and carers immediately to offer support for every pupil. We understand that school can present challenges and barriers to young people and we will ensure that our management and leadership practices are inclusive to support improved attendance at all of our schools. Therefore we recognise the needs of all children including neuroidivere children, children with anxiety or mental health, children with physical barriers to attending school and children experiencing turbulence in their family lives which may present barriers to attending. We are committed to making all of our schools welcoming places for all children. Our aim as aTrust is to provide a supportive framework where all children can access the best possible educational experience and learning outcomes.
100%
Perfect - 0 days off school
99%
Excellent - 2 days off school
97%
Good - 5 days off school
95%
Slight Concern - 10 days off school
90%
Very Concerned - 20 days off school
85%
Extremely Concerned - 30 days off school
We work relentlessly to support pupils and parents achieve 100% attendance
EXPECT
Aspire to high standards of attendance from all pupils and parents and build a culture where all can, and want to, be in school and ready to learn by prioritising attendance improvement across the school.
MONITOR
Rigorously use attendance data to identify patterns of poor attendance (at individual and cohort level) as soon as possible so all parties can work together to resolve them before they become entrenched.
LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND
When a pattern is spotted, discuss with pupils and parents to listen to understand barriers to attendance and agree how all partners can work together to resolve them.
FACILITATE SUPPORT
Remove barriers in school and help pupils and parents to access the support they need to overcome barriers outside of school. This might include an early help or whole family plan where absence is a symptom of wider issues.
FORMALISE SUPPORT
Where absence persists and voluntary support is not working or not being engaged with, partners should work together to explain the consequences clearly and ensure support is also in place to enable families to respond. Depending on the circumstances this may include formalising support through a parenting contract or education supervision order.
ENFORCE
Where all other avenues have been exhausted and support is not working or not being engaged with, enforce attendance through statutory intervention or prosecution to protect the pupil’s right to an education.
PARENTS
As a parent or carer you can help by:
- ensuring your child understands the importance of excellent attendance and punctuality
- taking an interest in their education – asking about school work and encourage them to get involved in school activities
- discussing any problems they may have at school and inform their Pupil Support Officer to pass on concerns quickly
- not allowing them take time off school for minor ailments – particularly those which would not prevent you from going to work
- arranging appointments after school hours, at weekends or during school holidays will help to prevent disruption to your child’s education and to the school
- being open and willing to work with us to improve your child’s attendance
PUPILS
As a pupil, you can improve your attendance by:
- speaking to a trusted adult about the reasons why you might not want to come to school
- trying hard every morning to get up and get to school, unless you are really unwell
- getting an early night, feeling tired on a morning can make getting to school harder
- make sure you get to school on time every day
HELP!
We're here to help if you need it.
If you are concerned about your child's school attendance, it is always best to talk to us first.
We have a dedicated Attendance team who are here to help pupils and families.
Pupils with attendance of less than 95% are monitored closely by the Pastoral Team (Attendance and Pupil Support Officers).
We also have the specialist support of a Parent Support worker who will be able to offer intensive support guidance to pupils and families to help to improve attendance.
FAQs
What do I do if my child is not well enough to go to school?
If you feel that your child isn’t well enough to come to school, you need to phone and leave a message before 8.30am for each day a pupil will not be attending school with your child’s name, year group and the reason why they are not in school.
Medical appointments should be made for after school wherever possible. We may ask to see evidence of medical appointments, if your child’s attendance is poor.
What does authorised and unauthorised absence mean?
As an academy we must follow national legal guidelines which means that holiday requests during term-time cannot be authorised.
Because of this, absences or persistent lateness which are not agreed with us, can incur a penalty notice. These penalties are through the local council and we have no control over how they are given.
We cannot guarantee that we will authorise a pupil’s leave of absence during term time, as this is only done in exceptional circumstances. If you don’t get permission from our Head of Academy, the absence is classed as ‘unauthorised’ and this includes lateness.
If you want to see if an absence can be authorised, you must contact school in advance and get permission from the Academy Headteacher.
What will happen if my child misses school?
We keep parents up to date with their child's attendance and confirm absences with them; this makes sure pupils are supported in their progress at the Academy.
Our Attendance Team work really hard to support pupils and often identify patterns of non-attendance. They will always work with parents and carers to understand these patterns and see how they can be improved.
Exceptional Leave of Absence Form
If you require an exceptional leave of absence, please download this form and send it to the school office.
You can access further information on attendance and how to support pupils with their attendance and punctuality.
LOOK OUT...
...for visual displays around all our schools to remind you that attendance and punctuality are important
