Orchard Fields Community School. Attendance Policy

Transcription

1 Orchard Fields Community School Attendance Policy 1

2 It is recognised that; SCHOOL POLICY AND PROCEDURES a. Pupils want to attend school to learn, to socialise with peer groups and prepare themselves fully to take their place in society as well rounded and responsible citizens with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to contribute to the life and culture of the community. b. Some pupils and their parents may need to be supported and rewarded at some stage in meeting their attendance obligations and responsibilities; c. In the first instance it is the responsibility of pupils and their parents to ensure attendance at school as required by the law. Mission Statement Orchard Fields supports the Mission Statement and aims of Oxfordshire Attendance and Engagement Service which seeks to fulfil Oxfordshire County Council s obligations in relation to access and inclusion in education of all young people of compulsory school age, by providing support, and where necessary a challenge to pupils, parents and schools. Aims a. All pupils of statutory school age gain an equal right to access an education in accordance with the National curriculum, or an appropriate agreed alternative curriculum b. No pupils are deprived of their educational opportunities, by either their own non-attendance, that of other pupils or any other circumstances, from receiving an education that meets their needs and personal development Expectations We ask our pupils to; Attend school everyday Arrive on time and be organised for the day 2

3 We ask our parents to; Ensure that their child/ren attend school each day Ensure their child/ren arrive in school well prepared for the school day with all that they need Ensure they contact school as soon as is reasonably practical whenever their child is unable to attend school To contact school in confidence whenever a problem occurs that may keep their child away from school. Parents and pupils should expect the following from our school; Regular, efficient and accurate recording of attendance Early contact with parents when a pupil fails to attend without providing good reason Immediate action to any problem notified to us Refer specific issues to supporting agencies where appropriate Support for attendance; We encourage attendance in the following ways; Highlighting the importance of good attendance and the link to good learning on a regular basis Certificates for good attendance at the end of every term with an attendance prize A star is awarded in assembly to the class with the best attendance each week and the class is put up on the attendance board for public recognition Prize draw for 100% attendance and the most improved attendance In addition the following strategies are used; During the home/school visits before Nursery, staff talk to parents about the importance of attendance Attendance is discussed at Parent Evenings Late gates First day calling Letters home when attendance falls below 96% A clear registration policy (see Appendix 1) Truancy sweep involving home visits Parent contract meetings 3

4 Attendance Officers The school has appointed two part-time attendance officers who monitor attendance and work with families where attendance is an issue. They also liaise with the attendance and engagement team and make referrals to them as necessary. Responding to non-attendance When a pupil does not attend, we recognise that the school needs to respond effectively; a. Where contact is not received from parents, the parents will be contacted on the first day of absence by telephone b. Where there is no response a letter will be sent within three days of unexplained absence. A further letter will be sent after five days. If there is no explanation for absence after a week the absence becomes unauthorised. c. When absence falls below 96% a letter is sent to parents to warn them that their child s attendance is becoming a concern and monitor for improvement. d. Where attendance is below 96% due to illness we will ask for consent to contact the GP for confirmation or evidence that medical treatment has been sought. If this is not provided the attendance will be recorded as unauthorised. e. Where a child s attendance falls below 96% and there is no improvement a Parent Contract meeting will be set up. f. Where there is no response to the school intervention and the absence has persisted without explanation the school will make a referral to the Attendance and Engagement Team Liasing with various agencies wherever appropriate Good relations and working practices are essential. Agencies have difficult roles in that they endeavour to support both the school in meeting its legal obligations as well as home and pupil ensuring that the latter s educational opportunities are maximised to the full. Some parents need the support of these agencies so that they can fulfil their legal obligations to their children. 4

5 The Attendance and Engagement Service The Attendance and Engagement Service provides an investigative, supportive and enforcement service which should complement the role of the school The Attendance and Engagement Service will always endeavour to provide schools in Oxfordshire with a service that recognises the uniqueness of the school and the community it serves The Attendance and Engagement Workers will work closely with teachers, pupils and their families. Whilst the service priorities will relate to absence matters, other service activities do also include advice and guidance on exclusion procedures, child protection and child employment. The Attendance and Engagement Service will support the school in the following ways; Accepting appropriate referrals Making home visits and assessments of difficulties Liaison or mediation between school and home Working with families, school staff and the young person to resolve problems Where necessary, instigate legal proceedings by issuing penalty notices for persistent lates (6 lates over 30 days), unauthorised holidays taken in term time and poor attendance (6 unauthorised absences over 30 days) on behalf of the School in the Magistrates or Family Court Offering professional advice, guidance and support about pupil attendance issues Working in partnership with schools and other agencies to develop sensitive individual reintegration packages for long term absentees Offer attendance assemblies/transition workshops to develop attendance panels or buddy systems Offer training to school staff and governing bodies on registration practice and Child Protection Information for parents: The school brochure contains information about our approach to improving and maintaining good attendance. There is a leaflet on attendance. 5

6 Holiday requests We are no longer allowed to authorise any holidays or extended leave except in exceptional circumstances. If extended leave is required then parents must apply in writing to the Governors. Partnership The school values its partnership with parents and will offer support to any family experiencing difficulties inform the family as soon as attendance or punctuality becomes a problem. Procedure We include a clear outline of the procedure the school will follow to improve ensure improving and maintaining good attendance. The main information parents need will be: the starting and finishing times of school sessions the dates of school terms who to contact when their child is away what would be unacceptable as reasons for not attending school the school policy on taking holidays during term time. what the law says about attendance generally, about what is expected of school and parents in terms of attendance and about schools policy on taking holidays in term time. what the roles of the class teacher, the head teacher, the administrative staff and the Attendance and Engagement Team are in terms of attendance. information on whom a family member or pupil can go to for support or advice around attendance issues? policy and provision for pupils requesting extended holidays. will we authorise 3 days of religious observance for Eid if more days are taken then they will be recorded as unauthorised. 6

7 Monitoring progress against attendance We monitor the progress of children in their learning against their attendance and it is clear in our evaluations that good attendance has a positive impact on progress in learning. The School : 1. keeps an attendance register at the beginning of the morning and in the afternoon sessions and 2. reports pupils who fail to attend regularly or who are absent for more than two weeks 3. Follows the Oxfordshire Missing Pupil procedure The effectiveness of this attendance policy will be annually reviewed by the whole staff and the Governing body with support from the Attendance and Engagement Service. Reviewed and agreed: Jan 13 Signed Chair of Governors 7