Attendance and Punctuality

Attendance and Punctuality

We have a well developed Attendance and Punctuality Policy that parents and carers should be aware of – see downloads section below. We all know that good attendance and punctuality supports children’s learning outcomes at all stages of their school life. Good attendance and punctuality are also important life skills.  Therefore, please make every effort to get your child into school, on time, every day.  If they come to school by themselves, please impress upon them the importance of arriving on time and how it will help their own and the learning of others. We expect at least 96% attendance, and 100% punctuality rates and are committed to meeting our obligations with regards to school attendance.

We work with our new partner, SEWS (Synergy Education & Welfare Company) – see more details here Introducing SEWS to parents & parents

Why is good attendance and punctuality important?

Education lays the vital foundations of a child’s life. Regular and punctual attendance at school is key to both academic and social development, which in turn will improve the life chances of children and young people.

What is good attendance?

So what does 90% attendance actually mean?

90% attendance over a school year = ½ school day missed every week!

It’s your responsibility as a parent/carer

Parents and carers have a legal duty to ensure that their children attend school regularly and punctually in order to optimise their learning, achieve the best they can and get the most out of their school experience. Failure to do so is an offence under section 444(1) of the Education Act 1996.

If a child is registered at a school they must, by law, attend that school regularly and punctually. Children should only miss school if they are ill or unable to attend for some other unavoidable reason.

At St Mary’s we believe attendance is a shared responsibility, involving the whole school community and local community. We will work with families to early identify the reasons for poor attendance and try to resolve any difficulties.

Reporting an absence

When a child is absent from school without prior permission, parents/carers should inform the school by telephone on the first day of absence by 8.45am and every day thereafter to give the reason for absence.

To report an absence, you should call the school office on 0208 340 4898 and then choose option 1 RG/option 2 CL.

• Provide medical evidence (medical appointment card/GP/hospital note/prescription) for longer absences or as requested
• If you do not inform school about an absence, school will contact you. If school cannot reach you by telephone or text the school will follow the ‘Child Missing in Education Procedures.’ (Please see Safeguarding Policy and Attendance Punctuality Policy for further information.)

Parents/carers cannot authorise absences and should be aware that either calling the school or providing a note for an absence does not automatically mean it will be authorised.

Therefore, absences will be treated as unauthorised unless a satisfactory explanation is given to the school.

What is an authorised absence?

There may be some circumstances where the school will authorise absence such as:

• Illness – High temperature/vomiting and diarrhoea, emergency medical/dental appointments which unavoidably fall in school time – we follow NHS Advice & Guidance regarding illness and absence
• Religious observances.
• Family bereavement.
• Visits to prospective new schools, external exams or educational assessments.
• Exclusion from school.

Illness

Most cases of absence due to illness are short term, but parents/carers will need to make a phone call to alert the school on each day of absence, unless notified otherwise. If your child is absent for more than three days the school will require medical evidence such as a note from the child’s doctor, an appointment card or a prescription paper.

Medical or dental appointments

Parents/carers should make every effort to ensure these appointments are made outside of school hours. Where it cannot be avoided, pupils should attend school for as much of that day as possible. Parent/carers should show the appointment card or hospital letters/text messages to the main office so that the absence can be authorised.

What is an unauthorised absence?

These are absences which the school does not consider reasonable and for which “leave” of absence has not been given. This also includes where the school is not informed of why a child is absent. Some examples of this type of absence include:

• Parents/carers keeping their child away from school unnecessarily – this can be due to child care arrangements, to look after siblings or relatives or because parents are unwell. In this case, alternative arrangements should be in place to ensure the child attends school;
• Shopping trips;
• Birthdays;
• Day trips and holidays in term time that have not been agreed by the Head Teacher.

Family holidays and term time leave

Parents/carers should ensure that family holidays and any term time leave are arranged outside of school term time. Parents/carers should not remove their child from school during term time without having first filled in a leave of absence form in advance. (Form can be obtained from the main reception or on the school website.)

All requests for authorised absence will be responded to and will only be authorised in the most extreme circumstances. If permission is not granted, but the pupil is still absent, the absence is classed as unauthorised and parents/carers may be issued with a penalty notice.

Arriving late to school

After the school gate opens, all children are expected to be in their classroom for the register and for the start of lessons. Children arriving into the classroom after the start of the school day, will be marked as present but arriving late (L). The registers are marked and then checked by the main office.

If your child arrives after the registers have closed, and in accordance with regulations, your child will receive a mark that shows that they are on site, but this will not count as a present mark and it will mean that they have an unauthorised absence (U).

Being frequently late for school adds up to lost learning:

• Arriving 5 minutes late every day adds up to over 3 days lost each year.
• Arriving 15 minutes late every day is the same as being absent for 2 weeks a year.
• Arriving 30 minutes late every day is the same as being absent for 19 days a year.

 Some strategies to improve punctuality

Bedtime routine

• Pack school bag or encourage your child to pack their school bag before going to bed, ready for the next day
• Getting to bed earlier.
• Setting a time for a television, iPad, computer, mobile phone and other devices to be turned off.

 Morning routines

• Setting the alarm for a time that allows all morning routines to be carried out.
• Having breakfast before leaving home, so there is no need to call in at the shop on the way to school.
• Leaving home at least five minutes earlier than you need to which will ensure you get to school on time.
• Coming to school for Breakfast Club

How can parents/carers help their child have good attendance and punctuality?

As part of our whole-school approach to maintaining high attendance, we request that parents/carers:

• Notify the school by telephone on the first day that their child is unavailable to attend school.
• Avoid making medical/dental appointments during the school day.
• Do not take your child on holiday in term time and in the case of exceptional circumstances permission must be granted by the Head Teacher. The Leave of Absence in Term Time form is on the school website and available at the school office. Applications must be made in advance of the intended date of absence.
• Promote the value of excellent attendance at home and follow the procedures set by the school.
• Advise the school of any difficulties they may be having so that the school can support as appropriate.
• Are aware that Section 444 of the Education Act states, ‘If a pupil of compulsory school age who is a registered pupil fails to attend school regularly, his/her parent is guilty of an offence.’

Absence

Following Government legislation, we are unable to authorise requests for holidays during term time. A referral could be made to Haringey LA, which could result in legal proceedings, including for example a FPN and/or court action being taken. Unauthorised absence would be 10 or more sessions over 10 days over a period of 10 weeks.  If parents/carers are issued with a penalty notice, each parent must pay £80 within 21 days or £160 within 28 days. The payment is made directly to the local authority.

Please be advised that leave of absence in term time is not a right and will only be granted under exceptional circumstances. Each case is considered individually; however, leave will not usually be granted if your child already has low attendance or the leave adversely affects your child’s education and ability to achieve. Also your child may be removed from the school roll meaning you would have to re-apply for a place.

Please see the form attached and information on Fixed Penalty Notices.

Data

We will share data with external agencies that support school with their duty to safeguard children and ensure they can flourish. An example of this is the child’s attendance data.

Downloads

Attendance and Punctuality Policy

Absence Request Form

Fixed Penalty Notices

School Nursing Team Minor Illness and School Attendance Booklet