Welcome to the Web site for 'Woolton Infants School'

Attendance Policy

1          Introduction

            We expect all children on roll to attend every day, on time, when the school is in session, as long as they are fit and healthy enough to do so. We do all we can to encourage the children to attend, and to put in place appropriate procedures. We believe that the most important factor in promoting good attendance is development of positive attitudes towards school. To this end we strive to make our school a happy and rewarding experience for all children. We will reward those children whose attendance is very good. We will also make the best provision we can for those children who, for whatever reason, are prevented from coming to school.

            Under the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 1995 the governing body are responsible for making sure the school keeps an attendance register that records which pupils are present at the start of both the morning and the afternoon sessions of the school day. This register will also indicate whether an absence was authorised or unauthorised.

2          Definitions

            Authorised absence

·         An absence is classified as authorised when a child has been away from school for a legitimate reason and the school has received notification from a parent or guardian. For example, if a child has been unwell and the parent writes a note or telephones the school to explain the absence.

·         Only the school can make an absence authorised. Parents do not have this authority. Consequently not all absences supported by parents will be classified as authorised. For example, if a parent takes a child out of school to go shopping during school hours, this will not mean it is an authorised absence.

            Unauthorised absence

·         An absence is classified as unauthorised when a child is away from school without the permission of both the school and a parent.

·         Therefore the absence is unauthorised if a child is away from school without good reason, even with the support of a parent.

3          If a child is absent

            When a child is absent unexpectedly, the class teacher will record the absence in the register, Parent/Guardian will inform school by phone or letter on first day of absence.

            When the child returns to school, a note should be brought from a parent or guardian to explain the absence.

            A note may be sent to the school prior to the day of absence. For example, if a child has a medical appointment.

4          Requests for leave of absence

            We believe that children need to be in school for all sessions, so that they can make the most progress possible. However, we do understand that there are circumstances where a parent may legitimately request leave of absence for a child to attend, for example, a special event. We expect parents to contact the school at least a week in advance, to request permission for authorized absence from headteacher.

5          Long-term absence

            When children have an illness that means they will be away from school for over five days, the school in consultation with parents/guardians will do all it can to send material home for school work.

6          Repeated unauthorised absences/poor punctuality

            The school will contact the parent or guardian of any child who has an unauthorised absence. If a child has a repeated number of unauthorised absences, the parents or guardians will be asked to visit the school and discuss the problem. If the situation does not improve, the school will then contact the LEA support services, who will visit the home and seek to ensure that the parents or guardians understand the seriousness of the situation.

            The governors, supported by the LEA, reserve the right to consider taking legal action against any parents or guardians who repeatedly fail to accept their responsibility for sending their children to school on a regular basis.

            We expect all pupils to attend punctually in order to make the best use of their time in school.  In repeated incidents of poor punctuality parent/guardians will be invited into school to discuss ways to improve their child’s record.

7          Rewards for good attendance

      All the children who have 100 per cent attendance in any one term will receive an excellence certificate for attendance, awarded at the last assembly of the term. There are special awards for any child who has 100 per cent attendance for a whole year.

8          Attendance targets

            The school sets attendance targets each year. These are agreed by the senior staff and governors at the annual target-setting meeting. The attendance targets are then agreed with the LEA link inspector as well. The targets are challenging yet realistic, and based on attendance figures achieved in previous years. The school considers carefully the attendance figures for other similar schools when setting its own targets.

9          Monitoring and review

            It is the responsibility of the governors to monitor overall attendance, and they will request an annual report from the headteacher. The governing body also has the responsibility for this policy, and for seeing that it is carried out. The governors will therefore examine closely the information provided them, and seek to ensure that our attendance figures are as high as they should be.

            The school will keep accurate attendance records on file for a minimum period of three years.

            The rates of attendance will be reported in the school prospectus, and in the annual governors’ report.

.