We rely upon you to ensure that children are in school every day. It is vital that your child is in school every day to enjoy learning and be with their friends. /admin
At St.Francis’, we expect children to attend school every day, as long as they are fit and healthy enough to do so.
We feel that the most important way to promote good attendance is to ensure that both pupils and parents have a positive relationship with school.
Research shows that pupils who attend school regularly are more likely to do well in the future. Regular attendance helps children to develop their confidence and to make and keep lasting friendships.
Every half term, we either meet with you or send home a progress report. We have a ‘traffic lights letter’ where your child’s attendance is ticked to make you aware of where your child sits in our red, amber or green attendance field. Please always aim for green!
What is ‘good’ attendance?
Anything less than 100% attendance means that your child is missing out on their education.
For example, 90% attendance is the same as missing half a day each week, or one whole month a year off school.
Punctuality is also very important. School starts at 8.50am each morning.
Did you know, that being just 15 minutes late each morning means your child would miss the equivalent of 10 days from school each year?
If your child is absent
If you know your child is going to be absent from school, you should:
- Where possible, ring school at the earliest opportunity to let them know. Call Mrs Nutall our bursar, on 01772865369. You can also send us a message on Seesaw.
- Send a note to school explaining the reason for the absence (in advance if possible—for example if your child has a doctors appointment)
School will contact parents if they are in any doubt as to the whereabouts of a child.
This year, our whole school attendance target is 97%. To promote excellent attendance; we are implementing a new system, that rewards both children and their parents and carers.
End of term award and Raffle:
Children, who have achieved 97% attendance at the end of each term, will receive a certificate for their efforts.
For all children achieving 97% attendance or above, we will have other exciting prizes at the end of the school year.
Leave in term time
Leave in term time is not a ‘right’. Absence from school can have a serious impact on your child’s education.
All requests for leave in term time must be made in advance of confirming any arrangements and may be granted at the Headteacher’s discretion dependent on the circumstances.
Changes to the Regulations mean that schools can only authorise leave in term time if the circumstances surrounding the request are considered to be exceptional. Forms are available from the school office.
The next step:
If the attendance of a pupil is low, the parents will be contacted and asked to meet with school staff to see how this can be improved. Support will be offered to both parents and pupils as required. The use of a ’Parent/School Agreement’ may also be considered.
If concerns remain, school may have to consider referral to external agencies, such as the Local Authority Pupil Attendance Support Team.
The use of Penalty Notices may also be considered under certain circumstances, including where leave is taken without agreement.
We want to work together to give your child access to their right of full time education.
Please click on the link to have a look at the leaflet below-these are also available in the entrance area of school…
attendance policy 2024 2025 St Francis
Holiday and Extended Leave Request – Meeting Form
We rely upon you to ensure that children are in school every day.
Interventions
Your child has to be in school for 8:50am. Arrival after this time will be marked as late. Once the register closes, a child is registered as having an unauthorised absence for the morning. Our children begin lessons as soon as they enter class and morning work tasks begin to settle children and seize every learning opportunity! The morning usually begins with Phonics, GPS, handwriting, Times Tables and other fun and engaging activities your child won’t want to miss!
Parent contracts
If your child’s attendance becomes a concern, you will be invited to attend a meeting at school. During this meeting, intervention strategies will be discussed and you may be asked to sign a parent contract. If illness is a concern, we can meet with the school nurse and work with you to put other positive strategies in place. We have links with a range of agencies and you only need to ask us for help.
PAST
Failure to adhere to a parent contract and school interventions; a referral may be made to the Pupil Attendance Support Team. They can offer further interventions and support school and home.
If absence persists, you may be issued with a penalty notice. These can be up to £180 per parent per child.
Holidays during term time will not be authorised and you may receive a penalty notice, should the holiday extend for five school days or more. However, shorter unauthorised leave will be monitored and further absence can reach this threshold and a penalty notice can still be issued.
