Attendance

WHY ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL IS SO IMPORTANT

If a child of compulsory school age is registered at a school it is essential that they attend  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 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.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS

Under Article 45 of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (“the 1986 Order”), it is the duty of parents who have a child of compulsory school age1 to ensure their child receives efficient, full time education suitable to their age, aptitude, ability and to any special educational needs they may have. Such education may be provided by regular attendance at school or otherwise, for example home education.

Paragraph 3 (1) of Schedule 13 to the 1986 Order states that it is the
duty of a parent of a registered pupil of a school to secure their regular attendance at school. This applies to all children of compulsory school age who are on the roll of a school. As a parent you are legally responsible for making this happen.

Under Part III of Schedule 13 to the 1986 Order, if a child or young person who is registered at a school does not attend regularly, a parent can receive a fine not exceeding £1,000 in court (for each child). An Education Supervision Order (ESO) could also be made by a court under Article 55 of the Children (NI) Order 1995.

FAMILY HOLIDAYS

You can demonstrate your commitment to your child’s education by not taking holidays during term time. Any child or young person who is absent from school due to a holiday will miss out on important learning and will fall behind with their school work.

In each Academic Year there are only a maximum of 190 statutory school days – this allows plenty of time for holidays to be arranged outside term time.

Holidays taken during term time will be categorised as an unauthorised absence.

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP

• Establish a good routine in the mornings and evenings so your child is prepared for the school day ahead.
• Make sure your child goes to school regularly and follows the school rules.
• Ensure your child arrives at school on time – not late (8.45am start for FS1 & FS2 and 8.50am start for KS1 & KS2).
• Arrange dental and medical appointments outside school hours when possible.
• Always inform the school if your child is absent due to illness.
• Take family holidays outside term time.
• Talk to your child about school and take an interest in their school work.
• Attend parent evenings and school events.
• Praise and reward your child’s achievements at school.
• Discuss any problems or difficulties with the school – staff are there to help and will be supportive.

For some parents, 90% may seem like an acceptable level of attendance, but the reality is that 90% attendance means that your child will miss half a school day each week or 19 days of school during the school year – that’s nearly 4 school weeks.

Our school attendance target is 97%.

Good attendance is regarded as above the National expectation of 97% over a 12 month period, accounting normal illnesses that a child may experience during the school year. At the end of each school term, we will send out a registration certificate to keep parents aware of their child’s attendance at school.

Pupils whose attendance falls below the national average will be classed as being persistently absent from school. These pupils will be monitored closely through a programme of intervention to support parents to improve their child’s attendance at school.

A useful video about attendance can be found here

First Day of Absence:

Parents should contact the school before 9am either by phone or Arbor App Message to inform them of their child’s absence. If the school have received no notification, school staff will make contact with home via telephone or Arbor App Message. In cases where no communication has been established, school will mark the attendance as unathorised.

Parents can contact the school on 01226 286510, and either speak to our reception or leave a message on our absence line.

Is my child too ill for school – Government Guidance

School Opening/Closing Times

Morning Nursery – 8.45am to 11.45am

Afternoon Nursery – 12.30pm to 3.30pm

FS2 Reception – 8.45am to 3.15pm

KS1 (Years 1 & 2) – 8.50am to 3.20pm

KS2 (Years 3,4,5 & 6)  – 8.50am to 3.25pm

Our HCAT Attendance and Punctuality Policy can be found on the link: HCAT Attendance and Punctuality Policy

Thank you for your continued support.