Attendance

We believe that all parents want the best for their children and having a good education is important to ensuring that they have the best opportunities in life. We understand that all children get sick from time to time, and are always here to support you with the school attendance of your child.

Our Statement on Attendance

At St Mary’s, we aim to create a safe, happy and inclusive environment, in keeping with our whole school vision of “Do everything in Love” (1 Cor 16:14). We demonstrate this through: loving ourselves, others and the world. We believe that in order for children to achieve their full potential, they must attend school every day. In order to facilitate this, we recognise the impact that our work in other areas – such as an interesting curriculum, positive relationships with pupils and families & an inclusive environment, alongside the use of resources such as pupil premium – can have on improving attendance.

We are committed to:

Promoting and modelling high attendance and its benefits
Ensuring inclusivity, equality and fairness for all.
Ensuring this approach is clear and easily understood by staff, pupils and parents.
Intervening early, building positive relationships with families to overcome barriers.
Working collaboratively with other agencies and schools in the area
Ensuring the framework set in section 7 of the Education Act 1996, is adhered to by all parents.
Regularly monitoring and analysing attendance data to identify pupils or cohorts that may require more support.

What to do if your child is going to be absent from school

Contact the school (01536 485500) every day when your child is absent, providing the school with a reason and estimated time/date of return.
We follow the NHS guidance on infection control. The guidance includes the 48-hour rule for diarrhoea and vomiting.
Parents/Carers will be asked to complete an absence request form for any upcoming absence they are aware their child will have from school, such as medical appointments, you can find a downloadable pdf below.
Any holiday taken in term time will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.

Important attendance contacts at school

School Office - 01536 485500
Senior attendance lead - Hannah Starkey (please contact via the school office)
School attendance lead - Ben Collins (please contact via the school office)

Attendance information and support

We all want the best for our children and having a good education is really important. A child’s future will be affected if they do not attend school regularly (over 96% of the time).

Every School Day Counts

100% attendance = Coming to school every day

90% attendance = 4 weeks of education lost per year

80% attendance = Over 1/2 a term of education lost per year

70% attendance = More than 1/4 of education lost per year

An average of 90% attendance over a child’s educational career = 1 whole year of education lost

5 minutes late every day = 3 full school days lost per year

15 minutes late each day = 2 full school weeks a year lost per year

Children who don’t attend school over 95% of the time:

•Struggle to keep up with work

•Struggle to make friends

•Present with low self-esteem and less confidence

•Have less than 65% chance of achieving in their learning

•Struggle to go on and achieve at Secondary School and University

What does the law say

•Children aged between 5 - 16 MUST receive full-time education

•Parents are responsible for making sure their child attends education

•Schools are responsible for managing student attendance and reporting poor attendance to EIPT (Education Inclusion Partnership Team)

•The EIPT can take legal action against any parent whose child does not attend school regularly in the form of a fixed penalty notice of £160 or consideration of prosecution for a third referral within a three-year period.

Under Section 576 Education Act 1996, the term "parent" includes:

All natural parents, whether married or not
Any person who, although not a natural parent, has parental responsibility, e.g. step-parents, grandparents etc.
Any person who, although not a natural parent, has care of the child or young person during their absence

Separate notices may be issued to each person.

Types of absence

Unauthorised absence — when children miss school without permission, for example a birthday treat, a day trip, over-sleeping, taking a long weekend, family holiday or shopping.

Authorised absence — when children are absent for a legitimate reason such as illness or unavoidable emergency appointments. Only the headteacher can authorise absences and may also request further evidence to support the reasons.

Supporting good attendance

•Book all appointments and take holidays outside of learning time

•Make sure that your child arrives on time

•If your child is unhappy at school, tell us straight away

•Tell us if your child has a medical issue

•Tell us if there are any difficult family circumstances

•Take an interest in your child’s education, ask them about their day and encourage their achievements at school.

Is my child too ill for school?

Find out when it's best to keep your sick child at home and when it's OK to send them to school or nursery.

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/