School Attendance

School Attendance -THE FACTS-

Social Skills & 100% ATTENDANCE Allows a child to access a FULL & VARIED curriculum. As well as developing their

Genuine Illness or occasional exceptional The Government circumstances can sometimes lead to expects a MINIMUM absence from school of 95% attendance in primary age children 10 days off = 95%

What is in a %? 90% 85% 85% = = = 20 30 80% 80% days off days off = = 40 days off 75% 75% 70% 70% = = = = 50 60 days off days off

Absences are recorded as either Authorised or Unauthorised Parents/Carers should supply a reason for all absences to the school ?UNAUTHORISED? ?AUTHORISED? If school deem the reason to be acceptable, school may authorise the absence. If not it will be recorded as unauthorised

What are ACCEPTABLE reasons for absence? • Contagious illness • An operation • Observing religious events • Holiday agreed by school What are UNACCEPTABLE reasons for absence? • Birthdays • Shopping trips • Family outings • Holiday not agreed by school

Room for Improvement HOLIDAYS SHOULD BE TAKEN IN SCHOOL HOLIDAY TIMES MEDICAL OR DENTAL APPOINTMENTS SHOULD BE MADE OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS WHERE POSSIBLE CHILDREN SHOULD BE AT SCHOOL ON TIME AS LATENESS CAN ALSO BE UNAUTHORISED ASWELL AS DISTURBING TO A CLASSROOM

Education IS important Research shows regular school attenders are likely to be more successful. Gaps in attendance lead to gaps in knowledge. On average, 450,000 children are absent from school everyday. When will your child get the chance to catch up?

So how does absence affect students? • 100-95% attendance gives the best chance of success It gets students off to a flyingstart • 85-90% attendance makes it harder to progress • Students have less chance of success • 80% and below is not fair on your child • Court action will follow

The Law The Education Act 1996 states: ‘If any child of compulsory school age, who is a registered pupil at a school, fails to attend regularly, the parents shall be guilty of an offence’. The Penalties An appearance in a Magistrates Court which, if found guilty and prosecuted may result in a Parenting Order, Community Order, a Fine of up to £2,500 and /or up to 3 months in Prison. A Penalty Notice issued to each parent for each child, by the Local Authority for £50 if unpaid within 28 days this rises to £100 if paid within 42 days. Non payment results in court action.

Late for school Late for lessons Late for work

It doesn’t matter if I’m late ..............................does it? 19 Days 13 Days 10 Days 6.5 Days 3 Days 5 mins 20 mins 30 mins 10 mins 15 mins

Well, it does because………. • I miss the beginning of the lesson • I don’t know what to do • I have to stop others listening and learning to ask them what to do • I may have to disturb everyone to get to my seat • The teacher may be in the middle of giving instructions • I miss registration • The teacher is irritated and gets grumpy

So what should you do? • Be on time for school and lessons • Book medical appointments out of school hours when possible • Plan holidays in the 175 non-school days • Celebrate special times after school, at weekends and in those 175 days ! • Go late-night shopping! • If you are absent, talk to your teachers about catching up with your learning Don’t miss out on success!!

School Attendance