At our school we follow advice from the Department for Education concerning attendance. The advice contains measures that we can take to work together to improve attendance for all children.

It is the legal responsibility of every parent to make sure their child attends school. The document states,

"A child must attend every day that school is open, except in a small number of allowable circumstances such as being too ill or being given permission for an absence.’’ 

We appreciate and understand that sometimes children are ill and should not attend school. However, we are trying to reduce the number of days missed due to minor illnesses. When children are absent from school, it means they miss out on valuable learning and friendship opportunities. Studies show that the highest attainers at the end of KS2 are children with the best attendance. 

 Pupil attendance over one school year

98% attendance = approximately 4 days absent from school

95% attendance = approximately 10 days absent from school

90% attendance = approximately 4 weeks absent from school

85% attendance = approximately 5 ½ weeks absent from school

80% attendance = approximately 7 ½ weeks absent from school

 

Pupil attendance over 5 years

85- 90% attendance = similar to having half a year off school

80% attendance = similar to having a whole year off school

 

To support your child to attain good attendance, we ask you to:-

• Phone school every day before 8.45am to report your child’s absence. If school does not receive a phone call regarding absence this will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.
• Medical appointments are to be made outside the school day, where possible, and if your child has an appointment during the school day medical or other - evidence will be required.
• Ensure all holidays are booked during school holiday times. The term dates for the next two years are available on the website.

The school, Local Authority and our Trust monitor children who fall below the expected level of attendance. They in turn expect the school to provide figures, produce letters, arrange meetings to improve attendance and reduce the number of days missed from school. Attendance figures are analysed closely by Ofsted during their inspections and can therefore impact on the overall school grading given. Good and outstanding schools are expected to have high levels of attendance, above 96%.

We are unable to authorise requests for leave of absence and this includes holidays, unless the absence is needed for an exceptional circumstance. It is expected that any leave of absence is taken during the thirteen weeks of school holidays. We would encourage you, as advised by Government, to take holidays outside of term time.

We will continue to share our attendance with you on all newsletters and class attendance figures will be celebrated each week in our Celebration assembly.  We hope you will continue to support us as we all work together to ensure our children receive the very best education.

If you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to contact school.