Positive behaviours and good attendance are central to raising standards of pupil attainment.

For all children to gain the greatest benefit from their education it is vital that they attend regularly and be at school, on time, every day the school is open unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable.

Our Attendance Policy aims to raise and maintain levels of attendance by:

• Promoting a positive and welcoming atmosphere in which pupils feel safe, secure and valued.
• Raising awareness of the importance of good attendance and punctuality.
• Ensuring that attendance is monitored effectively and reasons for absences are recorded promptly and consistently.
• Working in partnership with parents/carers so that they are aware of their own child’s attendance record and the impact that this is having on their education.

Understanding different types of absence

As parents or carers, it is your legal responsibility to make sure that your child attends their registered school, aiming for at least 96% attendance.

Authorised absences - examples:

• illness
• medical or dental appointments which unavoidably fall in school time
• emergencies or other unavoidable cause.

Unauthorised absences – examples:

• absences which have not been properly explained
• children who arrive at school too late to get registered
• shopping trips
• accompanying siblings or parents to medical appointments
• their own or family birthdays
• day trips
• holidays in term time.

This type of absence can lead to the Local Authority using sanctions and/or legal proceedings including penalty notices and/or prosecution.

Holidays in Term Time

There is no entitlement in law for pupils to take time off during the term to go on holiday.

The law specifies that headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are "exceptional circumstances". The School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024 state that “the need or desire for a holiday” is not considered an exceptional circumstance.

It is important for parents/carers to be aware that while decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, requests will normally be refused.

New rules from 19^th August 2024

The Department for Education has introduced a new statutory national Framework, that all schools in England must follow.

• There is now a single consistent national threshold for when a penalty notice must be considered by all schools in England of 10 sessions (usually equivalent to 5 school days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10 school week period. These sessions do not have to be consecutive and can be made up of a combination of any type of unauthorised absence, including lateness.
• If a Penalty Notice is issued for an offence of unauthorised absence, the first will attract a fine of up to £160 per pupil, per parent (£80 if paid within 21 days);
• A second offence in three years will attract a fine of £160 per pupil, per parent.
• Schools cannot issue a third penalty notice in 3 years, and must consider other sanctions, which may include prosecution.

What should I do if my child is absent?

• Contact the school office if your child is absent by 8:45am on the morning of the absence.
• If your child is to be absent due to illness, you must let us know the nature of the illness.
• If the illness continues, please update the school daily.

If we have not heard from you by 9:30am we will contact you or someone on your contacts list. If necessary, we will make a home visit.

The school office must be informed of absences known in advance such as dental appointments and you will be asked to provide proof of the appointment (e.g., an appointment card, letter or text)

Is my child well enough to go to school?

Common sense is your best guide when deciding whether your child needs to stay at home. If they complain of a mild ailment (slight sore throat, slight cough or cold, minor aches and pains, slight headache) they should come to school. If their condition worsens during the day the school will contact you.

If your child has a slight ear or toothache they should come to school. If the pain persists, they should see a doctor or dentist.

Your child should not come to school if they are experiencing vomiting or diarrhoea. Once they have been clear for 48 hours they should return to school.

Did you know?

Late Arrivals

When your child arrives late at school, they will miss the most crucial part of the day and the start of their learning. Your child may feel embarrassed at having to go into their classroom or assembly late and they may find it harder to settle. This will also disrupt the other the children. Frequent lateness will have a negative impact on your child’s achievement.

Classroom doors open at 8:35am. Therefore, children should be on school site and ready to go in at this time. Any latecomers should be signed in at the school office by the parent or carer.

What if the school has concerns about attendance?

You will be notified by letter if your child’s attendance is less than 95% and we will continue to monitor your child’s attendance.

If attendance becomes a concern, you will receive a letter and be invited to attend a meeting if necessary.

Should there be no improvement in attendance the school may require support from Essex County Council attendance team.

Please note that if there are genuine reasons for poor attendance, the school will do its best to support you to find solutions. Please contact us if you are struggling and need help.

Remember:

Attendance is compulsory.

Together we can achieve the best for each child.

There is support to improve attendance.

Establishing good habits from the start.

Not being in school affects life opportunities.

Do not take holidays in term-time.

Arriving late is disruptive.

Notify the school when and why your child is absent.

Celebrate good attendance.

Everyday counts!