United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) articles supported:

WHY ATTENDANCE MATTERS

The importance of regular school attendance and punctuality 

Regular school attendance and good punctuality plays a fundamental role in the academic, social, and personal growth of our children. We believe that children cannot learn and develop if they are absent from school or regularly late. We want all children to have the best possible attendance at school to enable each and every child to reach their full potential. 

There is a strong link between good school attendance and achieving educational success. Research has shown that poor attendance is linked to poor attainment. Children who frequently miss school fall behind and this may affect their future prospects

We aim to ensure that all our children take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them by promoting strong attendance and punctuality and reducing persistent absenteeism. We expect all our children to achieve 97%+ attendance each academic year. We want to work closely with our families, to support them in helping their child achieve this target. 

Where does your child sit on the Attendance Ladder?

Arriving late has the same negative impact on children as does being absent: 

• 5 minutes late each day is 3 days lost
• 10 minutes late each day is 6.5 days lost
• 20 minutes late each day is 13 days lost
• 30  minutes late each day is 19 days lost

Your responsibilities as a parent:

In England, parents have a legal responsibility to ensure that their child receives an education. Children are required to start full-time education at the beginning of the school term following their fifth birthday. They must continue in education or training until the age of 18. This can be in a school or other education or training provision, such as an apprenticeship. Children have to attend school for a 190 days every school year. 

Parents are legally required to ensure their child's regular attendance at the school they are registered with. Failing to do so without a valid reason can result in legal action. 

Parental support is critical in ensuring that children achieve in education and support and guidance is always available at our school. Angela Crozier (Attendance Lead) , Mrs Gordon (Pastoral Lead) and Mrs Douglas (SENDCO) work in partnership with multiple agencies, including the Local Authority Education and Attendance Service to ensure that you and your child have as much support as possible.

What the law says:

Parents have a legal responsibility for ensuring that children of compulsory school age receive a full-time education ‘suitable to their age, ability, aptitude and any special education needs that they may have either by regular attendance at school or otherwise’. Section 7 Education Act 1996.

Parents whose children are on a school register and fail to ensure the regular school attendance of their children, may be guilty of an offence under Section 444 or 444 (1A) of the Education Act 1996. The council may issue a Penalty Notice or take other statutory action through the courts to secure regular school attendance.

ABSENTEEISM

What do I do if my child is sick?

You should contact school on the first day of absence and each day thereafter BEFORE 08:30 A.M  on 0161 224 5995.

If your child falls below 92% attendance you will be invited in to school for a meeting with the attendance officer and the Deputy Headteacher or Headteacher. The purpose of the meeting is to establish the reasons for the attendance and to establish a way forward.

Green Pupils with attendance between 100% and 97%

Amber Green Pupils with attendance between 96% and 94%

Amber-Red Pupils with attendance between 93% and 91%

Red Pupils with attendance below 90%

Regular school attendance is the key to enabling children to maximise their educational opportunities and to become emotionally resilient, confident and competent adults.

We will work with families to identify the reasons for poor attendance and try to resolve any difficulties.

We recognise that attendance is a matter for the whole school community and that poor attendance can be indicative of a number of underlying problems. Our Attendance Policy should not be viewed in isolation; it is a strand that runs through all aspects of school improvement.

A clear focus on attendance also reflects our child protection and safeguarding duties as set out in the statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (DfE 2022)

To maintain high levels of attendance we would like to highlight the following points:

• You will be giving your child the best possible chance to reach his/her potential if s/he attends school regularly and on time.
• The Headteacher is not permitted to grant any leave of absence during term unless there are exceptional circumstances.
•  Holiday leave would not be considered an exceptional circumstance.
• If exceptional circumstances arise, a request must be sought in writing, before the absence.
• In those cases where permission is not granted, your child will be considered absent without authorisation. This may result in  action being taken against a parent/carer. Under the anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, an authorised officer of the City Council has the power to issue each parent/carer with a Penalty Notice for each of their children who do not attend school regularly. Failure to pay a Penalty Notice may result in prosecution.
• Our nursery offers full-time places. After an agreed period of transition, children are expected to attend full time.
• The school monitors attendance carefully and uses the data in a number of ways, including picking up any problems a child might be experiencing at school or at home. Teachers will talk to children and parents/carers if they suspect a problem to try to resolve the issue and improve attendance.
• Parents/carers are encouraged to alert class teachers if their child appears reluctant to attend school.

Visit the link below for our School Attendance Policy: