Our target for every pupil is that over the whole year they achieve 97% attendance, that is no more than 5 days off in a year. The average national attendance is 96%, the equivalent of 7 days of absence in a year. The following table shows the number of days off for each equivalent %.
As a school we are working very hard to make sure children do not have gaps in their understanding particularly in maths and literacy. Parents are reminded that they should not book holidays in term time as this has a significant effect on a child's progress.
|
% |
Days Absent |
|
85 |
29 days off |
|
86 |
27 days off |
|
87 |
25 days off |
|
88 |
23 days off |
|
89 |
21 days off |
|
90 |
19 days off |
|
91 |
17 days off |
|
92 |
15 days off |
|
93 |
13 days off |
|
94 |
11 days off |
|
95 |
9 days off |
|
96 |
7 days off |
|
97 |
5 days off |
|
98 |
4 days off |
|
99 |
2 days off |
|
100 |
0 days off |
Absence During Term Time
As Headteacher I am unable to authorise absence unless there are exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances include, for example, occasions where the timing of an event is outside of your control, such as a family wedding or funeral. Exceptional circumstances are events that are not going to occur again. In the overwhelming majority of cases, family holidays do not meet the criteria.
If there are exceptional circumstances, parents are asked to meet with the Headteacher, or write, giving a full explanation of the exceptional circumstances and provide evidence to support your application. I will then write to you to tell you whether the absence can be authorised.
As a school we are working extremely hard to improve the educational experience for children in our school and to maximise their progress and learning. We ask that you continue to support us by ensuring that your children are in school during term time.
Requests for Absence from School in Exceptional Circumstances and Penalty Notices
You are required under the Education Act (1996) to ensure your child attends school regularly. If your child accrues 10 consecutive sessions of unauthorised absence you may be liable for a penalty notice (one day of absence equals two sessions and a five day absence is equal to 10 sessions).
An unauthorised absence is any absence that the Headteacher has not given permission for or where an explanation has not been provided by the parents.
Parents must complete a request for absence from school in exceptional circumstances form and submit this to the school, allowing for sufficient time to enable the school to consider the request and inform parents of the decision.
Where parents do not follow the school’s procedures of submitting a request and simply remove their child without seeking prior approval, a warning may not be given and you may be liable for a penalty notice.
If your request is declined or you do not follow the correct procedure and you still take your child out of school each parent within your household may be issued with a £60 penalty notice for each child you have taken out of school. If a penalty notice remains unpaid after 21 days it will increase to £120. If after 28 days it remains unpaid you may be summonsed to appear before Magistrates to explain why your child has unauthorised school absences and you may be liable for a fine of up to £1000. These fines are applicable to both parents.