grove primary school
GROVE PRIMARY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY
“Learn Together ………………………Grow Individually”
Our vision at Grove Primary is to enable everyone to reach their full potential. Headteacher Chair of Governors Date Implemented Signed - Chair of Governors Review Date
Andrea Hall Stephen Jay November 2016 November 2017
1
Introduction Grove Primary School is committed to providing an education of the highest quality for all its children and recognises this can only be achieved by supporting and promoting excellent school attendance for all. This is based on the belief that only by attending school regularly and punctually will children and young people be able to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. High attainment depends on good attendance. The whole school community – children, parents and carers, teaching, support staff and school governors – have a responsibility for ensuring good school attendance and have important roles to play. The purpose of the policy is to clarify everyone’s part in this. The policy has been drawn up after consultation with the whole community and is based on current government and Local Authority guidance and statutory regulations. The school will ensure that all members of the committee know of the policy and have access to it. School’s roles and responsibilities All staff (teaching and support) at Grove Primary School have a key role to play in supporting and promoting excellent school attendance and will work to provide an environment in which all our children are eager to learn, feel valued members of the school community and look forward to coming to school every day. Staff also have a responsibility to set a good example in matters relating to their own attendance and punctuality. Therefore, Grove Primary School is responsible for ensuring that children have good attendance by:
Providing a curriculum that is engaging and meets the needs of all learners. Ensuring that attendance registers are kept accurately, using all necessary register codes. Differentiating appropriately between authorised and unauthorised absence (a letter from a parent does not authorise an absence, only the school can decide if the reason justifies authorising the absence). Contacting parents when there is concern about a child’s absence either by phone or letter. Phoning parents on the first day. Consulting with the Education Welfare Service with concerns around pupil’s attendance, punctuality, or a possible missing child. Making a referral to the EW service where necessary, adopting the Penalty Notice Protocol. Acknowledging good attendance of pupils or classes (e.g. assemblies, certificates or prizes). Giving pupil attendance updates weekly (through our website) and our weekly bulletin and at our parent interviews – termly.
2
Issuing Pupil Registration Certificates half-termly and include them in annual reports. Continuing to undertake regular attendance audits.
Parents’/Carers’ responsibilities The Education Act 1996 states that all children should attend school regularly and punctually. The Act states, “If a child of compulsory school age who is registered at a school fails to attend regularly at the school, his/her parent is guilty of an offence”.
We ask parents to work with us to ensure good attendance by: Ensuring your child arrives on time every day at 8.55 am. Notify school daily of absence by phone, giving an explanation for the absence. On returning to school, provide an explanation for absence. Provide medical information or evidence to support the absence. Wherever possible make medical/dental appointments outside of school hours. Avoid taking holidays in term time.
Pupils’ responsibilities
All pupils should be aware of the importance of regular school attendance. Pupils should be on time for school and ready to learn. Pupils should have the correct equipment to support your learning.
Governors’ responsibilities The Active Learning Trust working in partnership with Grove Primary School Governors will make arrangements for ensuring that their functions relating to the conduct of the school are exercised with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children who are pupils at the school.
Be healthy –
Stay safe –
attendance at school supports children’s emotional and social health and development the school curriculum teaches children to be healthy
schools have a statutory duty to promote the safety and welfare of children the best way to safeguard children is to ensure they attend school regularly
3
Enjoy and achieve –
good school attendance supports children in reaching their maximum potential and enjoying the fulfilment this brings
Make a positive contribution –
membership of a school community builds confidence, gives children a sense of belonging and teaches them to contribute to and be responsible for the well-being of others
Achieve economic well-being –
good school attendance supports engagement in further education, employment or training in the future, which in turn helps to support a prosperous and fulfilling life-style
Procedures at Grove Primary School Registration The school is required to mark the attendance register twice each day; once at the start of the day and once during the afternoon session. Classroom teachers are responsible for completing the attendance registers using the prescribed codes (appendix 1) The school is open to children from 8.55 am. The register will be taken promptly at 9.00 am and 1.00 pm by each class teacher and a mark will be made during the registration period in respect of each child. The registers will close at 9.15 am and 1.15 pm. Any pupil who arrives after the closing of the register will count as absent, (coded as a ‘U’.) This could result in the school making a referral to the EW service and further action taken.Pupils who arrive before the register closes will be counted as present, (coded with a ‘L’). This is counted as a present mark and will not affect the overall attendance levels. Absence Absence will be authorised in the following circumstances: 1. Where the school is satisfied that the child is too ill to attend (and evidence has been provided) 2. Where the child has a medical appointment (evidence provided) (although parents should be encouraged to make these out of school hours wherever possible, and to return their child to school immediately afterwards – or send him / her to school beforehand), 3. The absence occurs on a day exclusively set aside for religious observance by the religious body to which the child’s parents belong; 4. There are extenuating family circumstances that may necessitate limited term time absence e.g. bereavement or terminal illness.
4
If an event can reasonably be scheduled outside of term time then it won’t be authorised by the school. Holidays will not be authorised within term time except in ‘exceptional circumstances’ and at the discretion of the Head Teacher. The following reasons may be considered exceptional:
1. Parents are in the armed forces returning from overseas placements, 2. Wedding of an immediate family member, evidence to be provided and a maximum of one day granted, 3. There are extenuating family circumstances that may necessitate limited term time absence e.g. bereavement or terminal illness. Collection and Analysis of Data The Headteacher will endeavour to ensure that attendance data is complete, accurate and analysed. The data will inform the school’s future practice to improve attendance and prevent disaffection. This will be reported to governors through the. Accurate attendance returns are made to the DfE within the stipulated timeframe. Systems and Strategies for Managing and Improving Attendance First-day Calling Parents will be contacted via telephone or text on the first day a child is absent without explanation to establish a reason for the absence. It is the expectation of all parents/carers to make contact with school daily to inform them if their child will be present in school. This helps to identify at an early stage pupils who may start to have attendance issues and will also help to safeguard the pupils. Meetings with Parents Where there is an emerging pattern of absence with or without explanation or if attendance dips below 95%, the Family Support Worker will advise the Headteacher and action will be taken. Letters will be sent to all these pupils and no further absences will be authorised, this could also result in a Fixed Penalty Notice Fine. Parents/carers will be offered the opportunity for a meeting in school with the Family support worker to resolve any difficulties and improve the attendance within a specified time limit. Parents/carers will be advised that further absences could remain unauthorised and result in a referral to the Education Attendance Service. Penalty Notices and Referrals to the Education Attendance Service If there are 6 or more unauthorised sessions (3 days) a penalty notice referral will be considered, if a Fixed Penalty notice is issued, a fine will be imposed. 5
Lateness and Punctuality Pupils, who arrive late for school (after 8.55 am and 1.00pm), but before the registers close (9.15am and 1.15pm), will be marked as late. Children arriving after the close of registers will be marked as absent for the whole of the morning or afternoon session. For health and safety reasons it is important that records of attendance are accurate. Pupil’s arriving late must report to the school office and sign in giving the reason for lateness. For the same reason, parents/carers of pupil’s leaving the premises early must sign the book giving an explanation. A pupil who is persistently absent because of lateness will be dealt with in the same way as other students with an emerging pattern of absence. If the matter is not resolved quickly, it may be referred to the Education Attendance Service. Absence in Term Time Firstly, we ask that all families carefully consider the timing of any absences, particularly avoiding the first half term in a school year and special events/assessment times (May and June). Grove Primary does not support absences during term time other than in most exceptional circumstances. If the only time an absence can be taken, is in term time and there are exceptional circumstances, then families need to make an application on the school’s absence request form 4 weeks in advance to the Headteacher - Forms are available from the school office. If absences are requested without 4 weeks prior notice these will automatically be unauthorised. Once an absence request has been made, the school office will process your request and the Headteacher may contact the family to discuss the application. Once a decision has been made an acknowledgement slip will be returned to you, advising if the absence will be authorised or unauthorised. If the absence is unauthorised a Penalty notice referral will be made. Conclusion Regular school attendance is a necessary contributor to ensuring that children obtain the best possible outcomes in all aspects of school life. Good attendance supports children’s emotional and social health and development. Good attendance is the best way to safeguard children, it builds confidence and gives children a sense of belonging which ultimately teaches them to contribute to and be responsible for the wellbeing of others. Reviewing the policy The school will review this policy each year in line with the agreed cycle of review.
6
Appendix 1
REGISTER CODES CODE / \ B C
D E F G H I J L M N O P R S T U V W X Y Z #
DESCRIPTION Present (AM) Present (PM) Educated off site (NOT Dual registration) Other Authorised Circumstances (not covered by another appropriate code/description) Dual registration (i.e. pupil attending other establishment) Excluded (no alternative provision made) Extended family holiday (agreed) Family holiday (NOT agreed or days in excess of agreement) Family holiday (agreed) Illness (NOT medical or dental etc. appointments) Interview Late (before registers closed) Medical/Dental appointments No reason yet provided for absence Unauthorised absence (not covered by any other code/description) Approved sporting activity Religious observance Study leave Traveller absence Late (after registers closed) Educational visit or trip Work experience Non-compulsory school age absence Enforced closure Pupil not yet on roll School closed to pupils
MEANING Present Present Approved Education Activity Authorised absence
Approved Education Activity Authorised absence Authorised absence Unauthorised absence Authorised absence Authorised absence Approved Education Activity Present Authorised absence Unauthorised absence Unauthorised absence Approved Education Activity Authorised absence Authorised absence Authorised absence Unauthorised absence Approved Education Activity Approved Education Activity Not counted in possible attendances Not counted in possible attendances Not counted in possible attendances Not counted in possible attendances
7
8
“Learn Together ………………………Grow Individually”
Our vision at Grove Primary is to enable everyone to reach their full potential. Headteacher Chair of Governors Date Implemented Signed - Chair of Governors Review Date
Andrea Hall Stephen Jay November 2016 November 2017
1
Introduction Grove Primary School is committed to providing an education of the highest quality for all its children and recognises this can only be achieved by supporting and promoting excellent school attendance for all. This is based on the belief that only by attending school regularly and punctually will children and young people be able to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. High attainment depends on good attendance. The whole school community – children, parents and carers, teaching, support staff and school governors – have a responsibility for ensuring good school attendance and have important roles to play. The purpose of the policy is to clarify everyone’s part in this. The policy has been drawn up after consultation with the whole community and is based on current government and Local Authority guidance and statutory regulations. The school will ensure that all members of the committee know of the policy and have access to it. School’s roles and responsibilities All staff (teaching and support) at Grove Primary School have a key role to play in supporting and promoting excellent school attendance and will work to provide an environment in which all our children are eager to learn, feel valued members of the school community and look forward to coming to school every day. Staff also have a responsibility to set a good example in matters relating to their own attendance and punctuality. Therefore, Grove Primary School is responsible for ensuring that children have good attendance by:
Providing a curriculum that is engaging and meets the needs of all learners. Ensuring that attendance registers are kept accurately, using all necessary register codes. Differentiating appropriately between authorised and unauthorised absence (a letter from a parent does not authorise an absence, only the school can decide if the reason justifies authorising the absence). Contacting parents when there is concern about a child’s absence either by phone or letter. Phoning parents on the first day. Consulting with the Education Welfare Service with concerns around pupil’s attendance, punctuality, or a possible missing child. Making a referral to the EW service where necessary, adopting the Penalty Notice Protocol. Acknowledging good attendance of pupils or classes (e.g. assemblies, certificates or prizes). Giving pupil attendance updates weekly (through our website) and our weekly bulletin and at our parent interviews – termly.
2
Issuing Pupil Registration Certificates half-termly and include them in annual reports. Continuing to undertake regular attendance audits.
Parents’/Carers’ responsibilities The Education Act 1996 states that all children should attend school regularly and punctually. The Act states, “If a child of compulsory school age who is registered at a school fails to attend regularly at the school, his/her parent is guilty of an offence”.
We ask parents to work with us to ensure good attendance by: Ensuring your child arrives on time every day at 8.55 am. Notify school daily of absence by phone, giving an explanation for the absence. On returning to school, provide an explanation for absence. Provide medical information or evidence to support the absence. Wherever possible make medical/dental appointments outside of school hours. Avoid taking holidays in term time.
Pupils’ responsibilities
All pupils should be aware of the importance of regular school attendance. Pupils should be on time for school and ready to learn. Pupils should have the correct equipment to support your learning.
Governors’ responsibilities The Active Learning Trust working in partnership with Grove Primary School Governors will make arrangements for ensuring that their functions relating to the conduct of the school are exercised with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children who are pupils at the school.
Be healthy –
Stay safe –
attendance at school supports children’s emotional and social health and development the school curriculum teaches children to be healthy
schools have a statutory duty to promote the safety and welfare of children the best way to safeguard children is to ensure they attend school regularly
3
Enjoy and achieve –
good school attendance supports children in reaching their maximum potential and enjoying the fulfilment this brings
Make a positive contribution –
membership of a school community builds confidence, gives children a sense of belonging and teaches them to contribute to and be responsible for the well-being of others
Achieve economic well-being –
good school attendance supports engagement in further education, employment or training in the future, which in turn helps to support a prosperous and fulfilling life-style
Procedures at Grove Primary School Registration The school is required to mark the attendance register twice each day; once at the start of the day and once during the afternoon session. Classroom teachers are responsible for completing the attendance registers using the prescribed codes (appendix 1) The school is open to children from 8.55 am. The register will be taken promptly at 9.00 am and 1.00 pm by each class teacher and a mark will be made during the registration period in respect of each child. The registers will close at 9.15 am and 1.15 pm. Any pupil who arrives after the closing of the register will count as absent, (coded as a ‘U’.) This could result in the school making a referral to the EW service and further action taken.Pupils who arrive before the register closes will be counted as present, (coded with a ‘L’). This is counted as a present mark and will not affect the overall attendance levels. Absence Absence will be authorised in the following circumstances: 1. Where the school is satisfied that the child is too ill to attend (and evidence has been provided) 2. Where the child has a medical appointment (evidence provided) (although parents should be encouraged to make these out of school hours wherever possible, and to return their child to school immediately afterwards – or send him / her to school beforehand), 3. The absence occurs on a day exclusively set aside for religious observance by the religious body to which the child’s parents belong; 4. There are extenuating family circumstances that may necessitate limited term time absence e.g. bereavement or terminal illness.
4
If an event can reasonably be scheduled outside of term time then it won’t be authorised by the school. Holidays will not be authorised within term time except in ‘exceptional circumstances’ and at the discretion of the Head Teacher. The following reasons may be considered exceptional:
1. Parents are in the armed forces returning from overseas placements, 2. Wedding of an immediate family member, evidence to be provided and a maximum of one day granted, 3. There are extenuating family circumstances that may necessitate limited term time absence e.g. bereavement or terminal illness. Collection and Analysis of Data The Headteacher will endeavour to ensure that attendance data is complete, accurate and analysed. The data will inform the school’s future practice to improve attendance and prevent disaffection. This will be reported to governors through the. Accurate attendance returns are made to the DfE within the stipulated timeframe. Systems and Strategies for Managing and Improving Attendance First-day Calling Parents will be contacted via telephone or text on the first day a child is absent without explanation to establish a reason for the absence. It is the expectation of all parents/carers to make contact with school daily to inform them if their child will be present in school. This helps to identify at an early stage pupils who may start to have attendance issues and will also help to safeguard the pupils. Meetings with Parents Where there is an emerging pattern of absence with or without explanation or if attendance dips below 95%, the Family Support Worker will advise the Headteacher and action will be taken. Letters will be sent to all these pupils and no further absences will be authorised, this could also result in a Fixed Penalty Notice Fine. Parents/carers will be offered the opportunity for a meeting in school with the Family support worker to resolve any difficulties and improve the attendance within a specified time limit. Parents/carers will be advised that further absences could remain unauthorised and result in a referral to the Education Attendance Service. Penalty Notices and Referrals to the Education Attendance Service If there are 6 or more unauthorised sessions (3 days) a penalty notice referral will be considered, if a Fixed Penalty notice is issued, a fine will be imposed. 5
Lateness and Punctuality Pupils, who arrive late for school (after 8.55 am and 1.00pm), but before the registers close (9.15am and 1.15pm), will be marked as late. Children arriving after the close of registers will be marked as absent for the whole of the morning or afternoon session. For health and safety reasons it is important that records of attendance are accurate. Pupil’s arriving late must report to the school office and sign in giving the reason for lateness. For the same reason, parents/carers of pupil’s leaving the premises early must sign the book giving an explanation. A pupil who is persistently absent because of lateness will be dealt with in the same way as other students with an emerging pattern of absence. If the matter is not resolved quickly, it may be referred to the Education Attendance Service. Absence in Term Time Firstly, we ask that all families carefully consider the timing of any absences, particularly avoiding the first half term in a school year and special events/assessment times (May and June). Grove Primary does not support absences during term time other than in most exceptional circumstances. If the only time an absence can be taken, is in term time and there are exceptional circumstances, then families need to make an application on the school’s absence request form 4 weeks in advance to the Headteacher - Forms are available from the school office. If absences are requested without 4 weeks prior notice these will automatically be unauthorised. Once an absence request has been made, the school office will process your request and the Headteacher may contact the family to discuss the application. Once a decision has been made an acknowledgement slip will be returned to you, advising if the absence will be authorised or unauthorised. If the absence is unauthorised a Penalty notice referral will be made. Conclusion Regular school attendance is a necessary contributor to ensuring that children obtain the best possible outcomes in all aspects of school life. Good attendance supports children’s emotional and social health and development. Good attendance is the best way to safeguard children, it builds confidence and gives children a sense of belonging which ultimately teaches them to contribute to and be responsible for the wellbeing of others. Reviewing the policy The school will review this policy each year in line with the agreed cycle of review.
6
Appendix 1
REGISTER CODES CODE / \ B C
D E F G H I J L M N O P R S T U V W X Y Z #
DESCRIPTION Present (AM) Present (PM) Educated off site (NOT Dual registration) Other Authorised Circumstances (not covered by another appropriate code/description) Dual registration (i.e. pupil attending other establishment) Excluded (no alternative provision made) Extended family holiday (agreed) Family holiday (NOT agreed or days in excess of agreement) Family holiday (agreed) Illness (NOT medical or dental etc. appointments) Interview Late (before registers closed) Medical/Dental appointments No reason yet provided for absence Unauthorised absence (not covered by any other code/description) Approved sporting activity Religious observance Study leave Traveller absence Late (after registers closed) Educational visit or trip Work experience Non-compulsory school age absence Enforced closure Pupil not yet on roll School closed to pupils
MEANING Present Present Approved Education Activity Authorised absence
Approved Education Activity Authorised absence Authorised absence Unauthorised absence Authorised absence Authorised absence Approved Education Activity Present Authorised absence Unauthorised absence Unauthorised absence Approved Education Activity Authorised absence Authorised absence Authorised absence Unauthorised absence Approved Education Activity Approved Education Activity Not counted in possible attendances Not counted in possible attendances Not counted in possible attendances Not counted in possible attendances
7
8
