ATTENDANCE MATTERS

Good attendance for a pupil is at least 97%

(this is no more than 6 days of absence over the whole year)

The better attendance a child has, the better they achieve.

Application for Holidays in Term Time and Leave of Absence:

While we understand the various benefits to families of taking holidays in term time, we follow the DfE guidance on this such that "...the need or desire for a holiday is not considered an exceptional circumstance". It is therefore our policy not to authorise these and to fine as appropriate.

Parents are welcome to apply for a leave of absence in exceptional circumstances.

Which group does your child fall into? The long term effects may surprise you:

97% and above – Less than 6 days absence a year!  Pupils with this attendance should achieve the best possible outcomes.

96% –  8 days absence in a year. Good attendance. Pupils with this attendance are more likely to achieve their academic targets.

90% – 20 days absence over the year. Pupils with this attendance are missing approximately a month (20 days) of school per year and may fall behind in Maths, English and other subjects; it will be difficult for them to achieve their best. With this level of attendance, the Department for Education consider children to be a ‘Persistent Absentee’.

85% – 30 days absence in a year. These pupils are missing approximately 6 weeks of school a year. It will be very difficult for them to keep up and achieve their best.

80% – Pupils with this attendance are missing a day for every week of school! It will be almost impossible to keep up with their work. Parents of pupils with this level of attendance will be made known to the LA and it is possible that they will face legal action.

Benefits of Good Attendance:

- Easier to make & keep friends. 

- Develop good habits and life-skills.

- Pupils learn more and improve.

- Easier to enjoy school.

- Easier to gain qualifications.

- Easier to achieve their potential.

- Increases work and careers prospects. 

Consequences of Poor Attendance:

- Difficult to make and keep friends. 

- Develop poor habitats and life-skills. 

- Pupils fall behind and don't catch up.

- Difficult to gain qualifications.

- Difficult to achieve their potential.

- Limits work and careers prospects. 

What are unacceptable reasons for being off school?

Even when children have 'sniffles' or don't feel 100% they should still come to school. More often than not, they feel better as the days goes on. If they don't feel better or get worse, we will always contact you and you can come and get them.

Some unacceptable reasons for being off school: 

- Feeling a bit unwell or have the sniffles.

- Birthdays

- Shopping 

- The day after Mother's Day or any other celebration. 

- Holidays (these are never authorised except for exceptional circumstances). The DfE does not consider the "...need or desire for a holiday as exceptional circumstances."

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