Attendance Policy 2011

 Issued by the Governors of St Mary's CE School, Clymping

Last Revised: June 2011
Approval Date: 19th June 2011

St Mary's CofE Primary School is committed to providing a full and effective education to all pupils and embraces the concept of equality of opportunity for all. We endeavour to provide an environment where children want to be, where all pupils feel valued and welcome, and that they demonstrate this through their excellent attendance.

School attendance is subject to Education legislation and the school attendance policy is written to reflect these laws and the guidance produced by the Department for Education. Government guidelines state that children may only be absent for the following reasons: illness and treatments; an organised educational course; sporting activity or public performance; family bereavement; exceptional family circumstances or days of religious observance.

For a child to reach their full educational achievement a high level of attendance at school is essential. We will consistently work towards a goal of 100% attendance for all children. Every opportunity will be used to promote good attendance and convey to pupils, and their parents or carers, the importance of regular and punctual attendance.

Poor attendance can damage an individual child's learning and their ability to achieve their full potential. Evidence shows that when a child's attendance falls below 90% a significant impact is seen in their progress and achievement. Absence for one week equates to five hours of maths, five hours of literacy, and ten hours of other important subjects. If your child is absent from school for two weeks each year whilst at school, it would equate to 36 weeks missing from their education, in real terms a year's worth of learning. The timing of absences that further increase the disruption to a child's learning are:

• During, or just before assessments or tests, e.g. statutory tests in years 2, 6 and end of year assessments in Years 3,4 & 5

• During the first term at a new school

• At the beginning of a new school year

• If a child has a poor attendance record

The school seeks to enable open and honest discussions with parents / guardians about an individual child's attendance and the impact it has on their, and others, achievements and progression.

It is important that children arrive on time for school to gain maximum benefit from the teaching and to avoid disrupting other children's learning. Children arriving once the register is closed for the morning or afternoon session, will be recorded as having an Unauthorised Absence.

If a child is too ill to attend school, the parent / carer must inform the school on the first day of their absence, preferably before school starts.

Any child who is absent from school without explanation for 10 consecutive days will, in compliance with the law, be notified to the Local Authority, Children's Attendance Team.

The school will recognise those children who have an excellent attendance record by issuing certificates of attendance.

Where absence from school is requested by an individual, the following will apply:

1. In considering granting any application, the primary concern will be the impact on the individual child's education. Consideration will be given to the following:

   1. Absence in the last 12 months.

   2. Assurance that the requested absence has some educational value to the child, or that the parent / guardian has plans to redress the missed learning.

   3. The impact it has on the outcome of the tests. Authorised Absence will not be granted to those children in Years 2 & 6 during the summer term before the SATS tests.

2. If a child has an attendance rate below 95% over the previous 12 months 'Authorised Absence' will not be granted.

3. Each application for absence will be considered on a case by case basis by the Head Teacher in the first instance; however this may also require referral to the Governors for discussion.

Parents who decide to take their children out of school without permission, will incur Unauthorised Absences for their child. These remain on the child's record and are monitored for further action by the Education Welfare Officer, and could result in court action.

Each year the school will review its attendance figures and set attendance/absence targets. These will reflect both national and local attendance targets. The school will review its systems for improving attendance at regular intervals to ensure that it is achieving its set goals.

The sole purpose of this policy is to ensure that every child has the greatest opportunity to achieve their highest educational attainment.

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Attendance, Attendance Info for St Marys Church of England Primary School based in Clymping West Sussex.