Attendance Matters!
| Park Street Attendance Leaflet 2017-18 |
Information for Parents:
All children of statutory school age are expected to attend school regularly and on time. By having robust attendance procedures in place, we can support parents to ensure that their child has excellent attendance and that he/she is therefore able to make the most of any opportunities for learning. As a school we hold good attendance and punctuality in high regard; it is a life skills and it is massively important for children to learn this at an early age. We hope all of the children at Park Street go on to have successful and happy careers, if they so choose - being at work regularly and on time is important!
Because of the high profile that we give good and regular attendance, we have an 'Attendance Team' in school:
Mrs Cathy Turner - Office Manager and Attendance Officer
Mrs Carol Hitchens - Parent Support Advisor and Deputy Safeguarding Leader
Mrs Chloe Lawson - Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Leader
Mr Clyde Buckle - Education Welfare Officer (EWO) for 2017-18
Miss Samantha Dimelow - Attendance Administration Officer
What should I do if my child(ren) is poorly?
As a school, we are also committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all our children and therefore it is important that we know why a child is not in school if he/she is absent - parents must phone on the morning of every day that their child is poorly and let us know why they are off. Texts and contact phone calls may be made by our Attendance Team in school, if parents do not contact us. This is purely for safeguarding reasons - to make sure all of the children are safe. If your child is unable to attend school for any reason, please contact the school office by 9.00am, (1pm for afternoon Nursery children.) A message can be left on the school absence line, (select option 1 when phoning,) or you can speak to a member of our office staff. We need to know the name of your child, your name and relationship to the child, why your child is not in school and the expected day to return to school.
e.g. "This is Mr Smith, Harry Smith’s Dad. Harry will not be in school today as he has a high temperature/flu symptoms, hopefully back in school tomorrow .”
Parents are expected to inform school of the reason for absences, then school can make the decision whether to authorise the absence or not, based on the information they have. Parents are encouraged to provide as much information as possible such as appointment cards/prescribed medication or application for leave of absence, all of which will assist school in making this decision.
Failure to communicate with school or provide a reason for an absence will result in the absence not being authorised.
Re-occurring unauthorised absences will be referred to the Education Welfare Service and this may result in a fine.
What happens if my child's attendance falls below 90%?
Our Attendance Team in school meet regularly to discuss our children's attendance, with our school's Education Welfare Officer (EWO). As a result of this, parents may get asked to attend an 'Attendance Panel Meeting'. Here, members of our Attendance Team and potentially our school's EWO, will meet and discuss the child's attendance and possible ways forward, before a full EWO referral is made. The school hopes and expects situations to be managed by parents and school, without the need for this full referral. However we do recognises in certain situations, this may not be possible.
Rewards for good and improved attendance:
Termly letters are sent out to parents also, to inform them of their child's attendance. Termly awards are also given out to a lucky few drawn from our 'Attendance Treasure Chests'. At the end of every year, children who have attained 100% attendance for the full year, go on a special trip out - lunch at Frankie and Bennies and pizza making at Pizza Hut to name a few! Termly 100% attendance certificates are also given to children in end of term celebration assemblies. If attendances improve, congratulatory letters are also sent out to celebrate!
You can find our class' weekly attendance on the 'Attendance Matters' display in the main entrance!
Attendance improvements and targets:
Our school attendance target is 97% for 2016-17. Our attendance has steadily improved over the past few years:
2016-17 (to 28.5.17):
Including Nursery - 95.6%
Excluding Nursery - 95.9%
Target - 97%
2015-16:
Including Nursery - 95.2%
Excluding Nursery - 95.5%
Target - 96% (as a Trust)
2014-15:
Including Nursery - 94%
Excluding Nursery - 94.3%
Target - 96.5%
This shows a rising trend - which we are very proud of!
Punctuality:
Children must arrive at school on time. The school day starts at 8.40am(with doors open from 8.35am for R-Y6 children). Children who arrive after the classroom doors close at 8.45am must report to the school office with their parent/carer to be signed in. Parents of children who are late three times in a term may be contacted by letter. If the child is subsequently late, parents will be invited to attend an 'Attendance Panel Meeting' in school to discuss any support they may require in getting their child to school on time. This is currently a focus for the school in 2017-18.
Medical and Dental Appointments:
Pupils who have medical or dental appointments during school time are not permitted to leave unaccompanied; in every case a responsible person known to the school must collect them. Please inform the office beforehand of all medical appointments and provide an appointment letter, card or other evidence so that accurate registration can be maintained and the correct absence code be given. Only emergency appointments should be attended during the school day if absolutely necessary.
Siblings must not be withdrawn from school to accompany their brothers/sisters to medical appointments. Parents should make alternative arrangements to ensure that they are brought to, or collected from school as normal. If this is a problem, contact our PSA, Mrs Hitchens, who will do her best to help keep your children in school.
All children of statutory school age are expected to attend school regularly and on time. By having robust attendance procedures in place, we can support parents to ensure that their child has excellent attendance and that he/she is therefore able to make the most of any opportunities for learning. As a school we hold good attendance and punctuality in high regard; it is a life skills and it is massively important for children to learn this at an early age. We hope all of the children at Park Street go on to have successful and happy careers, if they so choose - being at work regularly and on time is important!
Because of the high profile that we give good and regular attendance, we have an 'Attendance Team' in school:
Mrs Cathy Turner - Office Manager and Attendance Officer
Mrs Carol Hitchens - Parent Support Advisor and Deputy Safeguarding Leader
Mrs Chloe Lawson - Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Leader
Mr Clyde Buckle - Education Welfare Officer (EWO) for 2017-18
Miss Samantha Dimelow - Attendance Administration Officer
What should I do if my child(ren) is poorly?
As a school, we are also committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all our children and therefore it is important that we know why a child is not in school if he/she is absent - parents must phone on the morning of every day that their child is poorly and let us know why they are off. Texts and contact phone calls may be made by our Attendance Team in school, if parents do not contact us. This is purely for safeguarding reasons - to make sure all of the children are safe. If your child is unable to attend school for any reason, please contact the school office by 9.00am, (1pm for afternoon Nursery children.) A message can be left on the school absence line, (select option 1 when phoning,) or you can speak to a member of our office staff. We need to know the name of your child, your name and relationship to the child, why your child is not in school and the expected day to return to school.
e.g. "This is Mr Smith, Harry Smith’s Dad. Harry will not be in school today as he has a high temperature/flu symptoms, hopefully back in school tomorrow .”
Parents are expected to inform school of the reason for absences, then school can make the decision whether to authorise the absence or not, based on the information they have. Parents are encouraged to provide as much information as possible such as appointment cards/prescribed medication or application for leave of absence, all of which will assist school in making this decision.
Failure to communicate with school or provide a reason for an absence will result in the absence not being authorised.
Re-occurring unauthorised absences will be referred to the Education Welfare Service and this may result in a fine.
What happens if my child's attendance falls below 90%?
Our Attendance Team in school meet regularly to discuss our children's attendance, with our school's Education Welfare Officer (EWO). As a result of this, parents may get asked to attend an 'Attendance Panel Meeting'. Here, members of our Attendance Team and potentially our school's EWO, will meet and discuss the child's attendance and possible ways forward, before a full EWO referral is made. The school hopes and expects situations to be managed by parents and school, without the need for this full referral. However we do recognises in certain situations, this may not be possible.
Rewards for good and improved attendance:
Termly letters are sent out to parents also, to inform them of their child's attendance. Termly awards are also given out to a lucky few drawn from our 'Attendance Treasure Chests'. At the end of every year, children who have attained 100% attendance for the full year, go on a special trip out - lunch at Frankie and Bennies and pizza making at Pizza Hut to name a few! Termly 100% attendance certificates are also given to children in end of term celebration assemblies. If attendances improve, congratulatory letters are also sent out to celebrate!
You can find our class' weekly attendance on the 'Attendance Matters' display in the main entrance!
Attendance improvements and targets:
Our school attendance target is 97% for 2016-17. Our attendance has steadily improved over the past few years:
2016-17 (to 28.5.17):
Including Nursery - 95.6%
Excluding Nursery - 95.9%
Target - 97%
2015-16:
Including Nursery - 95.2%
Excluding Nursery - 95.5%
Target - 96% (as a Trust)
2014-15:
Including Nursery - 94%
Excluding Nursery - 94.3%
Target - 96.5%
This shows a rising trend - which we are very proud of!
Punctuality:
Children must arrive at school on time. The school day starts at 8.40am(with doors open from 8.35am for R-Y6 children). Children who arrive after the classroom doors close at 8.45am must report to the school office with their parent/carer to be signed in. Parents of children who are late three times in a term may be contacted by letter. If the child is subsequently late, parents will be invited to attend an 'Attendance Panel Meeting' in school to discuss any support they may require in getting their child to school on time. This is currently a focus for the school in 2017-18.
Medical and Dental Appointments:
Pupils who have medical or dental appointments during school time are not permitted to leave unaccompanied; in every case a responsible person known to the school must collect them. Please inform the office beforehand of all medical appointments and provide an appointment letter, card or other evidence so that accurate registration can be maintained and the correct absence code be given. Only emergency appointments should be attended during the school day if absolutely necessary.
Siblings must not be withdrawn from school to accompany their brothers/sisters to medical appointments. Parents should make alternative arrangements to ensure that they are brought to, or collected from school as normal. If this is a problem, contact our PSA, Mrs Hitchens, who will do her best to help keep your children in school.
Attendance Regulations - including information on holidays in term time!
The Education (Pupil Attendance Records) Regulations 1991 (as amended)
1.1 The basis of this document comes from the:-
Education (Schools and Further Education) Regulations 1981. Regulation 12.
Contained within this regulation, there is a discretionary power for permission to be granted for the purpose of leave of absence during term time under exceptional circumstances only.
Such permission is granted in accordance with arrangements made by the governing body of the school.
These regulations confirm that no parent can demand leave of absence as of right.
1.2 The above definition is further refined and clarified by the
The Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 1995
Section 8 (1) “Leave of absence may only be granted by a person authorised in that behalf by the proprietor of the school”.
Section 8 (3) “Subject to paragraph (4), on request made by the parent with whom the pupil normally resides, a pupil may be granted leave of absence from the school to enable him / her to be absent from school in exceptional circumstances only.
2. Criteria for assessing requests for leave of absence
Due to recent changes in legislation, we can no longer authorise holidays in term time except in exceptional circumstances such as bereavement or serious/critical illness. Limitations by employers on parental leave are not classed as exceptional. Any holidays during term time which are not approved must be recorded as unauthorised and may incur a Fixed Penalty Notice of £60 per child, (£120 if not paid within 21 days.)
A completed and signed holiday application form is required at least one week before a holiday is to be taken in order that full consideration and the appropriate response can be given. A letter will be prepared for collection from the office and requires signature of the applicant as proof of receipt.
1.1 The basis of this document comes from the:-
Education (Schools and Further Education) Regulations 1981. Regulation 12.
Contained within this regulation, there is a discretionary power for permission to be granted for the purpose of leave of absence during term time under exceptional circumstances only.
Such permission is granted in accordance with arrangements made by the governing body of the school.
These regulations confirm that no parent can demand leave of absence as of right.
1.2 The above definition is further refined and clarified by the
The Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 1995
Section 8 (1) “Leave of absence may only be granted by a person authorised in that behalf by the proprietor of the school”.
Section 8 (3) “Subject to paragraph (4), on request made by the parent with whom the pupil normally resides, a pupil may be granted leave of absence from the school to enable him / her to be absent from school in exceptional circumstances only.
2. Criteria for assessing requests for leave of absence
Due to recent changes in legislation, we can no longer authorise holidays in term time except in exceptional circumstances such as bereavement or serious/critical illness. Limitations by employers on parental leave are not classed as exceptional. Any holidays during term time which are not approved must be recorded as unauthorised and may incur a Fixed Penalty Notice of £60 per child, (£120 if not paid within 21 days.)
A completed and signed holiday application form is required at least one week before a holiday is to be taken in order that full consideration and the appropriate response can be given. A letter will be prepared for collection from the office and requires signature of the applicant as proof of receipt.
| Leave of Absence Request Form |
Attendance Rewards
Weekly Attendance
Each week the class with the highest weekly attendance is given a £5 credit to spend at the end of the year.
Our weekly winners 2017-18!
AUTUMN TERM
Week 1 - Team CC and Team GG - both with 100%
Week 2 - Team CB - 100%
Week 3 - Team WP - 98.9%
Week 4 - Team AG - 99.3%
Week 5 - Team MK - 99.7%
Week 6 - Team CB - 98.7%
Week 7 - Team GG and Team MK - both with 99.7%
Week 8 - Team Shooting Stars (morning Nursery) - 100%
HALF TERM
Week 1 - Team MK - 97.4%
Week 2 - Team MK - 99.7%
Week 3 - Team MK - 100%
Week 4 - Team MK - 98.1%
Week 5 - Team AG - 99.3%
Week 6 - Team GG - 99.1%
Week 7 - Team AF - 98.2%
SPRING TERM
Week 1 - Team AF - 100%
Week 2 - Team WP - 99.6%
Week 3 - Team CC - 98.7%
Week 4 - Team AG - 97.9%
Week 5 - Team AF - 100%
HALF TERM
Week 1 - Team GG - 99.6%
Week 2 - Team AF - 100%
Week 3 - Team MK - 99.7%
Week 4 - Team GG & Team MK - 100%
Week 5 - Team MK - 99.4%
SUMMER TERM
Yearly Attendance
Each year we reward our pupils who have achieved 100% attendance during the academic year. Year 6 pupils with 100% attendance receive a gift voucher and the rest of the pupils are treated to a fun meal out at a local restaurant during lunchtime and receive lots treats while they are there.
Each year we reward our pupils who have achieved 100% attendance during the academic year. Year 6 pupils with 100% attendance receive a gift voucher and the rest of the pupils are treated to a fun meal out at a local restaurant during lunchtime and receive lots treats while they are there.