We are very proud of our whole school attendance which is regularly above the Government target of 96% for Primary schools. We place a high focus on attendance because we know that children who attend school regularly make better progress than those who don’t. You can find the latest Department of Education guidance for schools here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance

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What to do when a child is unwell

If your child is slightly unwell, and you’re not sure if they should be in school, bring them in and see how they go. Generally, when they get to school with their friends, they usually pick up. You can always call us and ask how they are or if we feel your child is becoming more unwell, we will call you to come and pick your child up.

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If your child is genuinely unwell and you feel you need to keep them off school, parents MUST call the school on the first day of absence. We then expect parents to call us every day a child is off school. We ask that parents contact school to inform us of absence for two reasons:

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1. To notify of reason of absence. We need to know if there are lots of children off school with the same illness, like vomiting or chicken pox, so we can take extra steps to minimise risk of spread to others.

2. To know a child is safe at home. We take safeguarding our pupils very seriously and we will not rest until we know a child is safe at home, even if we have to make a home visit or contact police for a welfare check.

 

Please note: simply calling school to notify us of reason for absence does not automatically authorise an absence. If the headteacher is not confident that the information provided is factual or medical evidence is not provided, in cases where pupils are persistent absentees, then an unauthorised mark will be given. We would much rather parents were honest with us, as when parents say their child is ill but classmates tell us your child is away for a long weekend, we will still unauthorise the absence.

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It is the headteachers final decision as to whether an absence is authorised or unauthorised.

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If a parent does not inform school of child’s absence

If a child is off school and the parent or carer has NOT informed the school of any reason why, then this will trigger a phone call to the parent/carer named as first contact, requesting that you call the school.

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If a call is not made to the school, then a member of staff will call all numbers on the contact list until we speak with someone who knows the whereabouts of the child.

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If no one answers the call, then a decision will be made as to whether a home visit is required to check the safety of the child. Mrs Easthope and another member of staff will call at the house. If there is no answer, then a decision will be made as to whether a call to the police or safeguarding team is warranted.

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Attendance Enforcement referrals

If a child has 10 unauthorised sessions (5 days) then a referral will be made to the Staffordshire County Council Educational Welfare Team. They will examine the evidence we send them and decide which action will be taken. This can be a formal warning, If the number of unauthorised absences within a 12 week period exceeds 12 sessions (6 days) then a fine for £60 will be issued. Further unauthorised absences will result in an attendance meeting and hearing, a fine (upto £1000) or a court appearance.

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For more information please click here.

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Holidays in term time

Parents taking children on holiday during term time, must first complete a leave of absence form and give clear reasons for the absence. Requests will be considered on a case by case basis and will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances. The decision is at the Headteacher’s discretion.

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Referrals will also be made when children have 7 school days off school for holidays.

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