St Anne's RC Primary School

September 2016

Dear Parent/Carer,

A big well done! Last year the whole school attendance was 95.6%.  Congratulations go to the 140 pupils who achieved above 95%. Our aim is to surpass this, in 2016/167 and by working together we are sure we can achieve our new targets.  

Every child should aim to achieve an overall attendance of 95%+ each academic year.  Studies have shown that poor attendance is linked to poor attainment. At St Anne’s we want all our children to Enjoy and Achieve and for that reason have the following attendance policy:

PUNCTUALITY

School starts at 8.50am and the register taken at 9am.  Children arriving after this time will have to sign in at reception and will receive a late mark.  Children arriving after 9.30am will receive an unauthorised mark for the morning session. If you are 5 minutes late every day that adds up to over 3 days lost each year. 15 minutes late is the same as being absent for 2 weeks a year.

ABSENCES

All absences must be reported by 9.30am on the first day of absence.  If we receive no contact from yourself we will endeavour to contact you via the school texting system or telephone you direct.  If we are unable to make contact with you by telephone, a letter informing you of the absence will be sent out and a reply slip included for you to complete and return to school.  Consequently, all absences without reason will be marked as unauthorised on your child’s attendance record.  School and the School Health Advisor are able to offer advice and/or leaflets on exclusions due to illness e.g:

1. Chicken pox (child can return once the spots are healed over)
2. Diarrhoea and Vomiting (24 hours after last episode)
3. Coughs and colds (no absence required)
4. Head lice (no exclusion, treatment should be completed without absence

Furthermore, if your child is absence for two or more days there may be occasions when school requires parents to provide proof of illness; this can be in the form of a doctor’s letter, copy of prescription and or medication, which clearly show the dates corresponding with the absence.  Certain circumstances may result in a home visit, by our Attendance Officer who will, where possible contact you prior to this to agree a convenient time.

MEDICALS

Where possible, please make medical appointments outside of school hours.  However, we understand at times this is sometimes difficult, on these occasions please provide school with a medical card or letter. A medical appointment DOES reduce your child’s percentage attendance. 

Please also be aware we are not able to authorise siblings being taken out of school when they do not have an appointment.  These absences will be unauthorised.

OTHER AUTHORISED ABSENCES

Please be aware that absences for ‘snow’ days do affect your child’s attendance, whilst these may be authorised this does reduce your child’s overall attendance.

HOLIDAYS IN TERM TIME

The amendment to regulations is still in place making it clear that the Head Teacher ‘may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.’  This includes visits to countries of origin. Holidays must not be booked prior to requesting permission; this must be made at least 6 weeks before intended departure. Forms are available from the school office.

PENALTY NOTICES

School may at times request that a Penalty Notice, through the Education Attendance Service, is issued to a parent/carer, this will only be used when parent/carers have been informed of our concerns, offered support but do not work with us and/or show continued and sustained improvement.  Penalty Notices will be requested for the following reasons;

1. Persistent unauthorised late arrival to school (after 9.30am)
2. Unauthorised absences were no reasons have been provided by the parent/carer
3. Holidays during term time

Parents must from the 1^st September 2013, pay £60 within 21 days or £120 within 28 days, this is per parent, per child’.

Yours sincerely

A. Ostmeier

Mrs A Ostmeier