Attendance Policy South Glos EOTAS Date Ratified: Review Date: Signed by: Position: Date: Attendance Policy May 14 South Gloucestershire EOTAS 1
Attendance Policy Good attendance and pupil achievement are inextricably linked. There is a strong correlation between high attendance and high attainment. Good attendance is crucial if pupils are to gain the most out of their education. South Gloucestershire EOTAS is a school and as such the law requires the full attendance of each pupil. We promote punctuality and discourage lateness. We follow the formal attendance procedures recommended by South Gloucestershire Council. The responsibility for regular school attendance lies with parents. South Gloucestershire EOTAS seeks to support parents in securing the good attendance of their children OBJECTIVES To convey clearly to parents and pupils that: Regular attendance is essential Unauthorised absence and persistent lateness are not acceptable Only South Gloucestershire EOTAS in the context of the law can approve absence. Parentally condoned, unjustifiable absence will be investigated and may be recorded as unauthorised absence. To keep records of attendance which: Clearly distinguish between authorised and unauthorised absence by pupils Provide accurate information on actual attendance to enable monitoring and evaluation of attendance rates through centrally held statistics. To build on existing good practice that fosters a positive attitude to good attendance by: Responding rapidly to pupil absence Recognising pupils who maintain excellent, good and improving attendance records Attendance Policy May 14 South Gloucestershire EOTAS 2
Responsibilities 1. Parents and Carers must ensure the full attendance and the punctuality of the child or young person for whom they are responsible, failure to do so is an offence, and can lead to prosecution. Parents must inform South Gloucestershire EOTAS in advance, of any absence or at the start of the school day in the case of sudden illness 2. It is the responsibility of each pupil to attend 100% of their programme and to arrive on time at school. 3. It is the responsibility of each SOUTH GLOS EOTAS to actively pursue the full attendance of each pupil through: Putting in place systems to support students to attend (e.g. targets and rewards, offering support of attendance worker varies according to provision) The recording of attendance on the register and the pursuit of absentees Ensuring that the Senior Leader at each provision oversees attendance and rigorously applies this attendance policy 4. Absence due to illness can only be authorised by the provision Senior Leader if parents call before the start of the school day. 5. It is the responsibility all staff within South Gloucestershire EOTAS to support the implementation of this policy. 6. South Gloucestershire EOTAS will utilise professional Education Welfare Consultants to support the implementation of this policy and support with non-attendance procedures including legal action if necessary. Principles and Procedures South Gloucestershire EOTAS will make its policy on attendance clear to parents/carers and pupils through: The admissions meeting The use of first day calling to ensure that the reasons for absence are ascertained and action taken promptly. Letters to parents addressing specific aspects of attendance and requiring parental response, parent and pupil interview in the case of repeated, unexplained absences. The emphasis of good attendance as a target in the School Improvement Plan. Attendance Policy May 14 South Gloucestershire EOTAS 3
Ensuring the role of other relevant support services is known and understood. Clear systems and procedures that will govern response to all pupil absence A reward system that emphasises good and improving attendance by pupils attending South Gloucestershire PRU s Attendance will be reviewed by each provision manager termly. Systems will be in place for the recording of attendance, which fulfil statutory requirements and enable EOTAS to monitor and evaluate attendance effectively: Each pupil s daily attendance (SOUTH GLOS EOTAS or school dual registration) will be recorded on the registers clearly. Schools will be informed of each absence for any pupil on their roll. Recording of attendance and chasing absences will be the responsibility of the office staff. However, Teachers must record attendances at each of their lessons and liaise with office re any absence. Communication regarding absence Each day contact: 1. In the case of all pupils who are educated on site, phone calls will be made to parents/carers within half an hour of the recording of the absence or as soon as is practically possible. This call is a priority. Extreme care should be taken by Senior Leaders to ensure that pupil timetables are up to date, and by office staff, to make sure that they consult timetables before phoning. 2. Following the phone call home, admin staff will record reasons for absence on SIMS and share with all staff. This communication must be copied to school if the pupil is dual registered. Email communication must be saved in the pupil s records. Recording of absence (e.g. authorised, unauthorised, medical etc.) Absences from school are authorised only for the following reasons: 1. Illness or medical reasons Absence due to illness or medical reasons will only be authorised if: Parents carers inform office of a pupil s illness before the school day or at the start of the school day in the case of sudden illness Pupil s attendance is above 95% of their programme 2. The Head Teacher may authorise absence under very exceptional circumstances 3. Holidays during term time will not be authorised. Attendance Policy May 14 South Gloucestershire EOTAS 4
Support for poor attendance After 3 unauthorised absences the provision manager will formally write to parent/carers. Support will be offered. (see appendix A) After 3 further unauthorised absences the provision manager will write to parent/carers applying the formal procedures detailed below using Standard Attendance Letter 2. (see appendix B) Again, parents will be warned that continued poor attendance could result in legal action being taken under section 444 of the education act 1996. Formal action against poor attendance: - This is a legal process involving an action plan to support the pupil s return to full attendance. If the attendance targets set by the action plan are not met, The Local Authority will consider prosecution under section 444 of the Education Act 1996 (max penalty is 2500 or 3 months imprisonment), or imposing a fixed penalty fine. (Fixed penalty Fines Parents of a registered pupil whose child fails to attend school regularly and whose absence is classed as unauthorised are committing an offence under section 444(1) of the education act 1996 The penalty is 50 if paid within 28 working days of receipt of the notice, rising to 100 if paid after 28, but within 42 days of receipt of the notice.) Fixed penalty fines have been used for Year 11 pupils, but generally the authority takes parents to court for poor attendance rather than issuing FPNs.) Procedure to monitor attendance will continue alongside formal action. Late arrivals recording procedure All pupils who are not transported and who arrive 30 minutes after their expected time will be considered to be late. Pupil Attendance and Safeguarding It is the parents duty to ensure that we are informed of all absence, before the school day or in the case of sudden illness, early on in the school day. If we do not have contact with you regarding your son/daughter s absence for 2 continuous days, we will write to you. If there is no future contact for 5 school days our Education Welfare Consultant will visit your home. See appendix C Attendance Policy May 14 South Gloucestershire EOTAS 5