Attendance

If a child of compulsory school age is registered at a school it is essential that they attend their school regularly and maintain a pattern of good attendance throughout their school career.

Excellent attendance at school is important to allow a child or young person to fulfil their potential.

Below are just some of the key reasons why it is so important children attend school:

• To learn.
• To have fun.
• To make new friends.
• To experience new things in life.
• To develop awareness of other cultures, religion, ethnicity and gender differences.
• To achieve.
• To gain qualifications.
• To develop new skills.
• To build confidence and self-esteem.
• To have the best possible start in life.

St Nicholas Priory CE VA Primary School

 Attendance Monitoring Procedures

Pupil attendance is checked on a twice daily basis, after both morning and afternoon registration.

Telephone calls home are made to all absent pupils whose parents/carers have failed to notify the school of a reason for their absence.

Letters are sent to parents/carers and home visits are undertaken if we are unable to contact parents/carers or alternative contacts to establish a reason for absence.

Home visits are also made if we have particular concerns or if parents/carers fail to attend attendance panel meetings.

Letters are sent home for pupils whose attendance falls below 95%.

Letters are sent home for pupils who continually arrive late to school.

Panel support meetings are held for parents/carers of pupils whose attendance has fallen below an acceptable level and who continually arrive late to school.

Staff will endeavor to talk to parents/carers at the end of the school day to discuss any attendance concerns.

If all measures of support fail to improve a child’s attendance, the school has the option to impose a fixed penalty fine or to follow the fast track procedure for non-attendance which could result in parents/carers receiving a court summons.

Holidays taken in term time will not be authorised by the school and could result in a fixed penalty fine.

Pupils who achieve 100% attendance each term are presented with certificates and badges during special assemblies.