Blessed George Napier Catholic School and Sixth Form A Youth Sport Trust Lead Partner School

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1 Blessed George Napier Catholic School and Sixth Form A Youth Sport Trust Lead Partner School ATTENDANCE POLICY 1

2 Attendance Policy Attendance is a very important performance indicator often used as a measure by OFSTED BGN attendance target for is 96% Blessed George Napier School aims to fulfil its Mission Statement by ensuring high levels of attendance and punctuality. It will do this by encouraging a cohesive and consistent approach in promoting the Gospel values of compassion, respect, truth, service, forgiveness by making BGN a school where every person feels worthwhile and valued by ensuring there are accurate records of attendance by ensuring the curriculum (where possible within the framework of a voluntary aided secondary school) is suited to the needs of the individual by ensuring staff are good role models in attendance and punctuality and these areas are given a high profile by ensuring good attendance and punctuality are rewarded often and publicly by ensuring the importance of attendance and punctuality are addressed in Year assemblies, celebration assemblies and the annual distribution of prizes. by informing parents of attendance percentages regularly and encouraging them to support their children in meeting the expectations of the school by supporting those who are absent over long periods of time, including by setting them work to do, and by re-integrating these pupils with sensitivity. Procedures and Responsibilities Attendance Officer will text home for any child who is absent by 10am requesting a reason for absence will phone home at 11am if no response has been received will liaise with the relevant pastoral manager to carry out a home visit in cases where we have concerns regarding the safety of a child due to lack of information about their whereabouts will keep a late book from the gate between 8:40-9:00 and from anyone who signs in after 9am make a note of phone calls/meetings/interventions regarding absences and feedback on these to relevant staff members will issue attendance labels to form tutors termly to be stuck into pupil planners and will issue percentages each week to be written onto the labels will issue data to LLs (Learning Leaders) and DHs (Department Heads) fortnightly and at the end of each term will write positive letters to those who have improved attendance will issue requires improvement letters to those whose attendance is below 95% will advise LLs and ALLs (Assistant Learning Leaders) of those students whose attendance is below 90% who may need an attendance contract 2

3 will liaise with the ESW (Education Social Work Services) regarding those students who have broken their contracts or whose attendance is still poor or declining; as well as those students who have taken unauthorised holiday during school time Teachers/Tutors will lead by example will be prompt will set worthwhile work if absent will give attendance and punctuality a high profile will issue rewards of praise, good comments in planners and Vivos will encourage prompt attendance to lessons and follow up with those who are late will complete registers within the first 15 minutes of each lesson issue lists of those taking part in extracurricular activities will inform SLs (Subject Leaders) when absence is impacting on achievement Form Tutors will be a good role model will complete register accurately will collect notes and question unexplained absences will key register in G4S (Go4Schools). If G4S is not available, they will complete a paper register and send it directly to the attendance office will let LL know if pattern of poor attendance is emerging work with LL on any attendance strategy/rewards etc SLs Subject Leaders will ensure a consistent policy across the department for dealing with latecomers will follow up any areas of concern with relevant LL LLs/ALLs - Learning Leaders and Asst. Learning Leaders Head of Year 7 with Pastoral Manager will make contact with Year 6 pupils who experience attendance problems prior to coming to BGN All LLs and ALLs will highlight the importance of attendance and punctuality with form tutor team and in assemblies will create competition/rewards for good attendance will reward good attendance on a termly basis 96%/100% will reward 10% attendance improvement will liaise with attendance officer when necessary will make sure that work is being set for long term absentees will issue attendance contracts, in liaison with the attendance officer, when necessary 3

4 Pupils value your education make sure that you arrive by 8.40am (if this is a problem, discuss it with your Form Tutor or attendance officer) make sure you arrive on time for every lesson if you are experiencing difficulties in a subject speak to the subject teacher or SL if you are absent because of illness ask your parent to ring the school straight away and complete absence form in planner on return if you plan to be absent for any reason your parent must contact the Headteacher and seek permission at least two weeks prior to absence if you need to leave school for an appointment within the school day a) bring a letter of explanation and appointment card b) sign out at the attendance office c) sign back in at the attendance office on your return Parents value your children s education make early contact when a child cannot attend encourage a positive attitude towards school help your child to organise materials/kit/books the night before make sure they leave for school in good time make sure your child has breakfast at home or from the school canteen only take holidays in school holiday time always ring as soon as you know your child will be absent and produce notes for absence collect your child promptly from after school clubs work with staff to rectify problems engage with attendance contracts when necessary Leadership Team promote good attendance and punctuality through supporting the attendance officer on the late gate promote good attendance through rewarding 100% and improved attendance be good role models work with the ESW service and Police Liaison Officer where necessary ensure data is issued promptly and that it is followed up effectively ensure targets are met encourage parents to come into school other than Parents Evenings report to Academy Committee Representatives Refer parents to the ESW when attendance drops below 80% and parents are not engaging with school procedures or when attendance drops below 70% 4

5 Procedure for requesting absence Parents must fill out an absence request form as well as phoning in should they wish to remove their child from school for any period of time. This should be handed to the attendance officer. All staff who receives one of these forms should hand these to the attendance officer. No holiday taken during term time with be authorised. Where holiday is taken despite being unauthorised, letters will be issued to parents by the DH disapproving of this. Should parents take their children on holiday during school term time for a second time in a calendar year, the family will be referred to the LA, who will issue a fine to those parents. This is will charged at a rate of 60 per pupil per parent. Education Social Work Service The school may buy in the services of the ESW service in the following situations: 1 Irregular Attendance when recorded attendance for the proceeding 6 weeks is less than 80% and absences are either authorised or where a pupil has been registered for entry to the school but has not shown up after a minimum of 2 weeks). 2 Child Employment where it is suspected that a pupil of statutory school age is illegally employed. 3 Teenage Pregnancy when a pupil s access to education is impaired because of pregnancy or parenthood. 4 Re-integration where a pupil has had extended absence, through unauthorised absence or returning after pregnancy. Please note that referrals to the Education Social Work Service will only be accepted when schools have discussed, or at least attempted to discuss, the problem with the parent or carer of a pupil. Evidence of school based intervention should accompany the referral (i.e. copy of letters etc. to home). Referrals will not be accepted without this evidence and can only be accepted with reference to the school s service level statement allocation. 5