Attendance and Working Together
We rely upon you to ensure that children are in school every day. It is vital that your child is in school every day to enjoy learning and be with their friends. At St. Francis’, we expect children to attend school every day, as long as they are fit and healthy enough to do so. We feel that the most important way to promote good attendance is to ensure that both pupils and parents have a positive relationship with school. Research shows that pupils who attend school regularly are more likely to do well in the future. Regular attendance helps children to develop their confidence and to make and keep lasting friendships.
Anything less than 100% attendance means that your child is missing out on their education. For example, 90% attendance is the same as missing half a day each week, or one whole month a year off school.
Punctuality is also very important. School starts at 8.50am each morning. Did you know, that being just 15 minutes late each morning means your child would miss the equivalent of 10 days from school each year?
If your child is absent
If you know your child is going to be absent from school, you should:
- Where possible, ring school at the earliest opportunity to let them know. Call Mrs Nuttall our bursar, on 01772865369. You can also send us a message on Seesaw.
- Send a note to school explaining the reason for the absence (in advance if possible—for example if your child has a doctors appointment)
School will contact parents if they are in any doubt as to the whereabouts of a child.
This year, our whole school attendance target is 96%. To promote excellent attendance; we are implementing a new system, that rewards both children and their parents and carers.
Leave in term time is not a ‘right’. Absence from school can have a serious impact on your child’s education.
All requests for leave in term time must be made in advance of confirming any arrangements and may be granted at the Headteacher’s discretion dependent on the circumstances.
Changes to the Regulations mean that schools can only authorise leave in term time if the circumstances surrounding the request are considered to be exceptional. Forms are available from the school office.
The next step:
- Child with persistent absence (close to 90% and under) will be sent a termly supportive letter letting parents know their child's attendance and offer support, where required. We understand illness can effect attendance, but a letter will be sent whether the reasons for absence are authorised or unauthorised.
- If the attendance of a pupil is low, if required, the parents will be contacted and asked to meet with school staff to see how this can be improved. Support will be offered to both parents and pupils, as required. The use of a ’Parent/School Agreement’ may also be considered.
- If concerns remain, school may have to consider referral to external agencies, such as the Local Authority Pupil Attendance Support Team.
- The use of Penalty Notices may also be considered under certain circumstances, including where leave is taken without agreement.
- We want to work together to give your child access to their right of full time education.
We have trained staff available to work with children and families to address barriers to attendance.
Where appropriate, we undertake EBSA (Emotionally Based School Attendance) work to support children experiencing anxiety or emotional difficulties linked to attending school.
We provide signposting to external services and, where needed, may complete an Early Help Assessment in partnership with families to offer coordinated support.
Our school attendance officer works alongside families to offer advice, guidance, and ongoing support to help improve attendance and engagement.
If your child’s attendance becomes a concern, you will be invited to attend a meeting at school. During this meeting, intervention strategies will be discussed and you may be asked to sign a parent contract. If illness is a concern, we can meet with the school nurse and work with you to put other positive strategies in place. We have links with a range of agencies and you only need to ask us for help.
Failure to adhere to a parent contract and school interventions; a referral may be made to the Pupil Attendance Support Team. They can offer further interventions and support school and home.
If absence persists, you may be issued with a penalty notice. These can be up to £180 per parent per child.
Holidays during term time will not be authorised and you may receive a penalty notice, should the holiday extend for five school days or more. However, shorter unauthorised leave will be monitored and further absence can reach this threshold and a penalty notice can still be issued.