Attendance

We aim to ensure that all children attend school regularly and on time to enable them to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available. Regular, punctual attendance is valued and positively encouraged for all of our pupils.

Some pupils find it harder than others to attend school. This policy sets out how school staff will work with pupils, parents, and partners to promote, encourage and support regular attendance at school and remove any barriers to attendance. We as a school have fully considered our obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and considerations under the UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child.

To achieve these aims for our pupils, we are committed to the following:

• a welcoming, stimulating and safe learning environment;
• for all staff to feel happy to come to school to work with pupils, developing them to  their full potential;
• listen to parents and pupils to understand barriers to attendance
• build trusted relationships with parents and pupils where attendance concerns can be discussed and understood.
• high expectations of our pupils and all staff;
• a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum;
• recognise and celebrate achievements in all areas of school life;
• equal access to all aspects of the curriculum and school life;
• high quality teaching using a variety of teaching strategies;
• a range of resources that are effectively used to support and challenge learning;
• provide experiences which will develop our pupils’ spiritual, moral and cultural understanding;
• support, guidance and training for all those who teach and work with our children;
• foster and maintain links with our wider community.

Expected Levels of Attendance:

Attending school regularly and on time has a positive impact on learning, progress and therefore, the best life opportunities for pupils. Research shows that attendance and punctuality are important factors in school success.

School Day and Punctuality

Our school day begins at 8:45 am and finishes at 3:15 pm.

Below is a graph showing how being late to school every-day over a school year adds up to lost learning time.

Attendance Partnership Expectations

Celebration and Expectation

We believe that celebrating attendance is key; whether our children have met our goals of attending school everyday, or have made great strides to attend regularly in spite of contributing factors outside of their control.

We will also share whole school attendance information weekly on the website and by text to Parents and Carers to keep everyone informed. Teachers will share pupils’ individual figures for attendance at Parent Meetings in the Autumn and Spring Term. This will then be published and shared at the end of Year in each child’s End of School year Report.

We expect the following from parents and carers:

• To ensure their children attend school regularly and punctually
• To notify the school of your child’s absence- on each morning of absence and provide a specific reason for the absence.
• To ensure that their children arrive in school well prepared for the school day
• To talk to a member of school staff about any problem or reason that may prevent them from attending school
• Inform the School of up-to-date contact numbers and details.

Schools are required to hold more than one emergency contact per child (KCSIE 2024).

Emergency contact numbers should be provided and updated by the parent with whom the pupil normally resides.

Parents and pupils can expect the following from school:

• Early contact with parents when a pupil fails to attend school without providing good reason
• Regular, efficient and accurate recording of attendance
• To inform parents if a pupil’s attendance falls below expected levels
• To listen and understand the barriers to school attendance and offer appropriate support and agree appropriate plans to improve attendance.
• Follow up support if needed.

When a child is absent and the school cannot contact parents, those leading schools/responsible for attendance matters or safeguarding, will continue to try and make contact. Where necessary (and by the third day of absence at the latest), they will make a welfare visit to the home address to confirm the safety of the child. A record of attempts and contact will be made on the school’s system.

It is the requirement of school to inform the Local Authority when a child has 15 days absence due to illness, cumulative or consecutive – or when it is believed they will be unable to attend (The “section 19” duty)

SAST Leave of Absense Request Form Attendance Policy