We believe that children cannot learn if they are absent from school and that high attainment depends on good attendance. We therefore aim to ensure that all our children take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them and to raise standards by promoting regular attendance and punctuality of pupils.
We expect all school personnel to support and promote excellent school attendance by acting as role models and to work hard to provide a learning environment in which all pupils are eager to learn, feel valued and enjoy coming to school. School personnel have a responsibility for identifying trends in attendance and punctuality.
Sometimes a pupil’s absence or lateness may not be their fault and in these circumstances, it is our policy to be supportive of the child. Also, at times we have to give allowances for religious beliefs and individual family circumstances.
We believe it is essential to regularly remind parents of the importance of good attendance and its links to pupil attainment. The Education Act 1996 clearly states that the prime responsibility of parents/carers is to ensure that their children attend school regularly.
Truancy at this school is rare, however, we believe truancy is a matter that we treat very seriously as we feel pupils are not only losing valuable learning time but they are putting themselves at serious risk as the school and their parents are not aware of their whereabouts.
We believe it is essential to have a strong working relationship with the Education Welfare Service which provides support for pupils and their families in order promote good pupil attendance and to reduce truancy.
Please be aware that when a parent/carer telephones the school with information that their child is unable to attend due to illness, or other circumstances, this may not be automatically authorised. Your child’s current and previous school attendance will be taken into consideration and as a result the absence may not be authorised.
The school will not authorise any holiday to be taken during term time.
Action Odessa will take
- On the first day of absence, the office will call home to ascertain the reason for absence;
- if a child’s attendance falls below 95%, a letter will be sent home; and
- if a child’s attendance falls below 90%, the Family Support Worker will carry out a Home Visit.
Action the Local Authority can take if your child misses school
The Local Authority can send you a penalty notice (fine) if:
- your child’s attendance falls below 90% in a term period without a good reason;
- you take your child out of school during term time (for holidays for example) without agreeing the leave with the school;
- your child is delayed returning from a period of leave and you have not agreed this with the school;
- your child arrives at school after the registers have closed more than 10 times; and
- your child is excluded from school but is seen in a public place during the first five days of that exclusions.
The fine is £60.00 per parent, per child if you pay within 21 days of receiving the notice. If you do not pay the fine within 21 days, but pay it within 28 days, the cost will rise to £120.00. If you do not pay at all, the Local Authority may take legal action.
More further information, please arrange an appointment to speak to the Headteacher at the school office.
