Attendance & Absence

The school uses a range of measures to promote good attendance.

This can include:

• Engaging and challenging experiences in the classroom.
• Engaging experiences outside of the classroom.
• Attendance percentages written in student records each week.
• Tutor attendance display updated weekly.
• Place on attendance support card.
• Meeting with tutor and parents in school.
• Meeting with Pastoral leaders and parents.
• Use of the WAS to challenge, support and where necessary prosecute parents
• Bespoke rewards set with HOY and Year Team Leader.
• Parents Attendance Meetings
• Weekly sharing of tutors’ attendance progress in weekly staff briefing
• PM targets to include attendance target for all tutors and Pastoral leaders.
• Parent Contracts
• Letters home thanking parents
• Certificates
• Celebration assemblies
• Tutor board
• Tutor group: experience rewards
• Individual experience rewards
• Tangible rewards
• Bowling trips
• Band experiences
• Cinema Experiences
• Muffin Mornings

Being in school is important to your child’s achievement, wellbeing, and wider development. Evidence shows that the students with the highest attendance throughout their time in school gain the best SATS, GCSE and A’ Level outcomes.

Research found that pupils who performed better both at the end of primary and secondary school missed fewer days than those who didn’t perform as well.

The data also shows that in 2019, primary school children in Key Stage 2 who didn’t achieve the expected standard in reading, writing and maths missed on average four more days per school year than those whose performance exceeded the expected standard.

Similarly, in the same year, secondary school pupils who didn’t achieve grade 9 to 4 in English and maths missed on 10 more days on average over the key stage than those who achieved grade 9 to 5 in both English and maths.

Every moment in school counts, and days missed add up quickly. For example, a child in Year 6 who is absent for three days over a half term could miss 15 lessons in total.

The higher a pupil’s attendance, the more they are likely to learn, and the better they are likely to perform in exams and formal assessments.

Data from 2019 shows that 84% of Key Stage 2 pupils who had 100% attendance achieved the expected standard, compared to 40% of pupils who were persistently absent (93% attendance or less) across the key stage.

Parents and carers have a legal duty to ensure their child gets a full time-education. That means going into school from the age of 5 to 16.

Your child must attend every day that the school is open, unless:

• Your child is too ill to attend.
• You have asked in advance and been given permission by the school for your child to be absent on a specific day due to a medical appointment.
• Your child cannot go to school on a specific day because they are observing a pre-agreed religious event.
• Your local authority is responsible for arranging your child’s transport to school and it’s not available or has not been provided yet.
• You have asked in advance and been given permission by the school for your child to be absent on a specific day due to an exceptional circumstance.

These are the only circumstances where schools can permit your child to be absent.

We define ‘exceptional circumstances’ as:

• A major family event such as the wedding of a close relative (i.e. sibling, parent or grandparent)
• Serious or terminal illness of a close relative (i.e. sibling, parent or grandparent)
• Funeral of a close relative (i.e. sibling, parent or grandparent)

Firstly, contact the school – we have a range of measure we can implement. We will monitor each student’s attendance every week. You can expect to receive a phone call on the first day of unexplained absence so we are aware of the reasons for absence and can discuss with you a return to school date.

To support students with improving their attendance they may be placed on a report card and have a mentor to set targets. You will receive a letter informing you of your child’s attendance, enabling you to discuss, celebrate or improve your child’s attendance; this can also be viewed on the MCAS app.

We also run an attendance mentoring programme to support students whose attendance is a concern.

The local authority also have a responsibility to help you. Contact them online using this link or call 01905 822666. Staff are available Monday to Thursday from 9.00am to 5.00pm and Fridays from 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 states that “The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him/her to receive efficient full-time education suitable to his/her age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs he/her may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise”.

The definition of a parent as set out in section 576 of the Education Act 1996 is:

• All natural parents, whether they are married or not;
• Any person who has parental responsibility for a child or young person; and,
• Any person who has care of a child or young person i.e. Lives with and looks after the child.

The Local Authority may use a number of legal sanctions where parents fail to meet their legal responsibilities regarding their child’s school attendance.

Section 23(1) of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2007 states that:

“Penalty Notices may be issued to the parent of pupils who have unauthorised absence from school”.

• The amount of the penalty is £60.
• If this is not paid with 21 days, the amount rises to £120.
• If not paid within 28 days, the Local Authority may prosecute under section 444(1)

Section 444(1) of the Education Act 1996 states that:

“If you are the parent of a child of compulsory school age who fails to attend school regularly, you are guilty of an offence”.

The court may:

• Fine each parent up to £1,000 per child
• Order payment of the prosecution costs
• Impose a Parenting Order
• Impose an Education Supervision Order

Section 444(1a) Education Act 1996 states that:

“If in the above circumstances you, the parent, know that your child is failing to attend regularly at the school and fail without reasonable justification to cause him/her to attend, you are guilty of an offence”.

The court may:

• Fine each parent up to £2,500 per child
• Order payment of the prosecution costs
• Impose a Parenting Order
• Impose an Education Supervision Order
• Sentence parents to a period of imprisonment for up to 3 months

Please find links to the full Worcestershire information below:

School Attendance Legal Information for Parents and Carers

Lateness = Lost Learning Time!

• 5 minutes late each day = 3 days lost across an academic year
• 10 minutes late each day = 6.5 days lost across an academic year
• 15 minutes late each day = 13 days lost across an academic year
• 20 minutes late each day = 15 days lost across an academic year
• 30 minutes late each day = 19 days lost across an academic year

*Each of these days lost equals 5 hours of missed learning time

We will complete a risk assessment to ensure that students returning to school after an accident, surgery or serious illness receive the best possible care. If your child is returning to school after an accident, surgery or serious illness, please contact the year teams in the first instance and we will arrange a risk assessment meeting.

Please completed this form and return it to the school to request holiday absences during the term.

Please be aware that should the school decide not to grant leave of absence and parent/carers/carers still take their child out of school the absence will be recorded as unauthorised which may be subject to a Holiday Penalty Notice fine of £60 per parent/carer per child. If not paid within 21 days this fine increases to £120 per parent/carer per child. Failure to pay the £120 fine within the period 22 to 28 days may lead to Court proceedings.

You can read all our policies here