We need every child to be an Attendance Hero because ATTENDANCE MATTERS!

If a child is not in school then a child is not learning and in order for children to achieve their full potential then learning is what they need to be doing. 

We understand that children can't help being poorly and sometimes they will have an illness that will mean that they need to take time off school and perhaps even visit the doctor but as parents, we are asking you to stop and think before allowing your child to stay off school. 

Sometimes, our children have colds or other mild illnesses, they may not feel like their normal self but they are probably well enough to come to school. Children have to learn that for adult life, they need resilience in order to cope. If, as adults, we regularly took time off for a cold, we wouldn't have a job!

Before letting your child stay at home, ask:

• Are they well enough to come to school?
• Is your child's attendance already cause for concern?
• Would they feel better if they had some paracetamol? If so and you think they might need another dose, if you are unable to come to school to administer that during the school day, please ask the office for the appropriate forms.
• Are they not wanting to come to school because they are worried about something, either at home or at school?

The minimum satisfactory attendance as set by the Government is 96%.

Absences soon add up, 80% attendance is the same as having 1 day off a week.

Any child with below 90% attendance, regardless of the reason for the absence is considered to be a persistent absentee. Persistent absentees are less likely to achieve their full potential and may be referred to the Education Welfare Officer.

Every school, legally, has to register its pupils twice a day; in the morning at the start of the school day and again after lunch for the afternoon session. 

If a child is of compulsory school age and is absent from school, the register must show whether the absence was authorised or unauthorised. 

Authorised absences.

When a pupil is absent from school for a genuine reason such as illness or a family bereavement, then the school after being advised of the reason may authorise their absence. This authorisation is at the discretion of the headteacher and needs to be carefully considered. 

By law, only the Headteacher can authorise a child's absence from school and in some cases additional evidence, such a letter from your GP, may be requested, especially if their attendance is already cause for concern. 

In order for your child's absence to be authorised, you MUST inform us of their absence and the reason for it. If you do not inform us then the school will try to contact you as it is our duty to ensure that the children in our care are safe. If we are unable to contact you by telephone then you may get a home visit from a member of staff.

If we have not established the reason for your child's absence by 9.30am then the absence will be marked as UNauthorised. 

Unauthorised absences.

An unauthorised absence is when the school has not received a reason for absence or is unsatisfied with the reason given.

The law states that parents or carers must ensure that their child regularly attends school. Should you fail to ensure this then legal action may be taken against you.

It is your legal responsibility as the parent or carer to ensure that your child, when of statutory school age, accesses education appropriate to their age, needs and ability. 

Under the terms of the education related provisions of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act, each parent or carer may be issued with a penalty notice of £60 if:

• You fail to ensure that your child attends school regularly
• You allow your child to take leave of absence in term time without a school’s authorisation
• You fail to return your child to school on an agreed date after a leave of absence
• Your child persistently arrives late for school after the register is closed

Our school will only authorise a leave of absence for exceptional circumstances.