Attendance is a key focus for us all.  From the first day of term to the last, the small moments in a school day make a real difference to your child. In 2018/19, just 40% of persistently absent (PA) children in Key Stage 2 nationally achieved expected Key Stage 2 standards, compared with 84% of pupils who were regular attenders. Regular school attendance can help children socially too, in that it facilitates positive peer relationships, which can also support children's mental health and wellbeing. Mrs Faulkner and Miss Herdman, our pastoral managers, are available to support families in improving children's attendance. Please contact the school office or your child's class teacher if you would like some support.

It can be tricky deciding whether or not to keep your child off school when they're unwell. There are government guidelines to help: Is my child too ill for school? . These explain when children should be kept off school and when they shouldn't.

Punctuality

School starts promptly at 8.55am, and it is important that your child arrives on time. This means they can spend time catching up with friends and also hearing important information from their teacher about the day ahead. If a child arrives at school after 8.55am without prior arrangements having been agreed, they will be deemed late. Registers close at 9.25am and arrival at school after this time, without prior approval or extenuating circumstances, will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.

Persistent Absence

 

Attendance below 95% is poor and below 90% is ‘persistent absenteeism’, which could lead to intervention from the Warwickshire Attendance Service.  Good attendance is vital for the success of pupils and their well-being.

There are 190 days in a school year, which leaves 175 days to spend on family time, shopping, appointments, holidays and other things.

How many days will make your child a persistent absentee?
Half Term 1	3½ days off school from September until October half term holiday will make your child PA.
Half Term 1-2	7 days off school from September until the Christmas holiday will make your child PA.
Half Term 1-3	10 days of absence from September until February half term will make your child PA.
Half Term 1-4	12½ days of absence from September until the Easter holidays will make your child PA.
Half Term 1-5	15½ days of absence from September until May half term will make your child PA.
Half Term 1-6	19 days of absence for the full academic year will make your child PA.

Leave of Absence

Parents and carers are reminded of the importance of school attendance and requested not to take their child out of school if at all possible.  Your child’s progress academically as well as socially is our shared priority.

The Supreme Court reached a decision in the case of Platt v Isle of Wight Council which has clarified the law on unauthorised leave, including holidays, during term time. The parents of children of compulsory school age are required to ensure that they attend school on a regular basis. The Supreme Court has made clear that attending school ‘regularly’ means that the children must attend school on every day that they are required to do so. As such, the parents of any child who is absent from school without authorisation for any length of time are likely to be considered as committing an offence under s444 of the Education Act 1996.

Head Teachers retain the ability to authorise leave in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. When considering such requests for a leave of absence, the school are obliged to act within the law. Head Teachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances relating to the application. If the leave is granted, head teachers are able to determine the number of school days a child can be absent for. 
It is for the Head Teacher to decide what is ‘exceptional’ and it is at their discretion if the circumstances warrant the leave to be granted. The school can only consider Leave of Absence requests which are made by the ‘resident’ parent.

Each application for a leave of absence will be considered on a case by case basis and on its own merits.
Where applications for leave of absence are made in advance and refused, the child will be required to be in school on the dates set out in the application. If the child is absent during that period, it will be recorded as an unauthorised absence, which may result in legal action being taken against the parent(s), by way of a Fixed Penalty Notice.
Failure to make an application for leave in advance can also result in a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued to the parent(s).
All matters of unauthorised absence relating to a Leave of Absence will be referred to the Warwickshire Attendance Service, part of Warwickshire County Council.

It is important to note, Fixed Penalty Notices are issued to each parent of each absent child, (for example 2 children and 2 parents, means each parent will receive 2 invoices in the amount of £120 each, totalling £240 for both children, this is reduced to £60 per child if paid within 21 days).

Where a Fixed Penalty Notice is not paid within the required timeframe as set out on the notice, the matter will be referred to Warwickshire County Council’s Legal Services to consider instigating criminal proceedings under S444 Education Act 1996. 

Fixed Penalty Notices are issued in accordance with Warwickshire County Council’s Code of Conduct for Penalty Notices.

Below are some examples of Leave of Absence requests which may not be authorised unless there are additional exceptional circumstances:

• Availability of cheaper holidays.
• Availability of desired accommodation.
• Poor weather experienced in school holidays. 
• Overlap with beginning or end of term.
• Booked the wrong dates by mistake.
• Booked by another family member.
• Attending a wedding that is not immediate family.
• Family birthdays.
• Unable to take a holiday in school holidays due to work commitments.
• Adult appointments affecting bringing a child to school or collecting on time.
• Different term dates for children at schools in another local authority.

Warwickshire Attendance Service

Children whose attendance is below 85% for 6 weeks may be referred to the WAS team (except for special circumstances, e.g. child in hospital).  Targets may be set over a 10 week period and if they are not met the WAS team will prosecute families using a financial penalty notice process and also Section 444 (1 &1A) under the Education Act 1996.

Persistent absence is deemed when attendance is 90 or below%. Some facts:

• There are 190 school days each year and 175 other days for shopping trips, birthday treats, non urgent appointments and holidays.
• One day a week absence is the equivalent over a school career of 2.5 whole years of education missed.
• 10 days' holiday leave a year is the equivalent of two whole terms of education missed.
• 15 minutes of lateness a day equals one whole year of education missed.

EVERY LESSON COUNTS!

Your child’s progress academically as well as socially is our shared priority.

• Application for Leave of Absence