Castle View School Academy Trust Attendance Policy Policy No 38 This policy was updated and released in: This Policy was approved by the Governing Body on: Summer Term 2017 6 th July 2017 This Policy will be reviewed on: Spring Term 2018 This policy will be reviewed by: Full Governing Body 1
Castle View School Academy Trust is committed to providing a full and efficient education to all students and embraces the concept of equal opportunities for all. We will endeavour to provide an environment where all students feel valued and welcome. For each child to reach their full educational achievement a high level of school attendance is essential. We will consistently work in partnership towards a goal of 100% attendance for all children. Every opportunity will be used to convey to students and their parents/carers the importance of regular and punctual attendance. School attendance is subject to various Education Laws and Regulations; this school attendance policy is written to reflect these laws and guidance produced by the Department for Education (DfE). Each year the school will examine its attendance figures and set attendance/absence targets. The school will review its systems for improving attendance, paying particular attention to the attendance of vulnerable children, termly, to ensure that it is achieving its set goals. At Castle View School Academy Trust, we actively promote good attendance and punctuality to enable each student to fulfil their potential. We aim: To achieve at least 96% attendance in all year groups. To reduce the number of unauthorised absences and lateness to a minimum. To record and celebrate good attendance and punctuality. This policy will contain within it the procedures that the school will use to meet its attendance targets. 2
1. Introduction 1.1 Castle View School Academy Trust believes that regular school attendance is the key to enabling children to maximise the educational opportunities available to them and become emotionally resilient, confident and competent adults who are able to realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to their community. 1.2 We regularly set and review achievable but challenging attendance targets for the whole school, individual students and specific groups as required. 1.3 We make decisions based on evidence, including regular data analysis. 1.4 We take a fast-track approach to dealing with attendance issues, prompting early intervention. 1.5 Regular school attendance is essential if children are to achieve their full potential. 1.6 Castle View School Academy Trust values all students. As set out in this policy, we will work with families to identify the reasons for poor attendance and try to resolve any difficulties. 1.7 Castle View School Academy Trust recognises that attendance is a matter for the whole school community. Our Attendance Policy should not be viewed in isolation; it is a strand that runs through all aspects of school improvement, supported by our policies on safeguarding, bullying, behaviour and inclusive learning. This policy also considers the Human Rights Act 1998, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, Race Relations Act 2000. Equalities Act 2010. 1.8 Castle View School Academy Trust operates a first day absence calling system. This is a widely used practice in schools and has shown to have been successful in the impact on attendance and has improved attendance in schools, the school has adopted first day calling as part of its attendance policy. When a child is absent a call is made to the parent/carer asking for an explanation. If no suitable explanation is received the absence will be marked as unauthorised until an acceptable reason is given; if the school receives an acceptable explanation the register will be marked accordingly. We do not have to authorise without medical evidence where we feel the reason is not accurate. First day absence calling will be undertaken by a member of the school staff or an authorised company that will be appointed on behalf of the school. 1.9 Any child who is absent from school at the morning or afternoon registration period will have their absence recorded as being authorised, unauthorised or as an approved educational activity. The Headteacher or a member of staff acting on their behalf will authorise absence if appropriate. If there is no known reason for the absence at registration, then the absence will be recorded in the first instance as unauthorised. A range of support for parents/carers will be made available where they, the parent/carer, are seeking the school s assistance to encourage a child to attend school more regularly. The school will not ask children to remain at home, other than those who are fixed term or permanently excluded, unless there is a serious risk to the child in question or the school community. In such cases, the school will seek the advice of the LA. The school will use and direct attendance ambassadors to carry out home visits to students that have failed to arrive at school on time or failed to call the school to explain the absence. 3
2. Legal Framework 2.1 Section 7 of the 1996 Education Act states that parents must ensure that children of compulsory school age receive efficient full-time education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude to any special educational needs they may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise. 2.2 Under the Education Act 1996, the Local Authority has a statutory responsibility to ensure that parents secure education for children of compulsory school age and where necessary, use legal enforcement. 2.3 The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006, require schools to take an attendance registers twice a day, once at the start of the morning session and then again during the afternoon session. 2.4 The register must record whether the student was: present; absent; present at approved educational activity; or unable to attend due to exceptional circumstances. 3. Categorising absence 3.1 Where students of compulsory school age are recorded as absent, the register must show whether the absence is authorised or unauthorised. 3.2 Absence can only be authorised by the school and cannot be authorised by parents. All absences will be treated as unauthorised unless a satisfactory explanation for the student s absence has been received. 3.3 Parents should advise the school by telephone on the first day of absence and each day of absence thereafter. Calls should be made no later than 9.30 am. This may be followed up in the form of a written note from the parent/carer, although verbal explanations are acceptable. 3.4 Absence will be categorised as follows: 3.5 Illness - Parents are expected to telephone the school to explain their child s absence on the first morning the child is unwell. The absence will remain unauthorised unless medical evidence is provided. This will usually be in the form of an appointment card, prescription or medical certificate etc. If your child becomes unwell at school, they are to see medical staff at Student Services. The medical team will make the decision as to whether the child needs to go home. If the school send the student home the absence will be authorised. Students that call parents themselves and make the decision to go home will not be authorised. All students going home due to illness will need to be collected by a responsible adult. The school will not allow students to go home alone if they are feeling unwell. 3.6 Medical/Dental Appointments - Parents are advised where possible to make medical and dental appointments outside of the school day. Where this is not possible, students should attend school for part of the day. Parents should show the appointment card to school. If appointment for check-ups are made during the school day they may be authorised. 4
3.7 Other Authorised Circumstances - This relates to occasions where there is cause for absence due to exceptional circumstances, for example family bereavement, visiting a parent in prison or reintegration timetable has been agreed. 3.8 Excluded (No alternative provision made)- Exclusion from attending school is counted as an authorised absence. The child s HOY will make arrangements for work to be sent home. 3.9 Family Holidays and Extended Leave - The school cannot grant leave of absence during term time unless the circumstances are exceptional; if a parent requests leave of absence in exceptional circumstances, prior to a decision being made the number of days and details of the request will be required. Parents are not permitted to take their children on holiday during term time unless the circumstances above apply and are agreed by the school. Appropriate evidence will need to be provided to support the application for leave of absence. Appropriate evidence will be considered as: a doctor s recommendation or an invitation or letter for an exceptional opportunity. Parents do not have an automatic right to remove their child from school during term time for the purpose of a holiday and should be made aware that if their child is absent for 10 school days they will miss 5% of their education during that academic year. (Regulations The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006) amended. Parents that fail to request time away or have their request refused and still remove the student may be fined. 3.9.1 All requests for leave of absence will be responded to in writing. Where a request has been granted the letter should state: The expected date of return That parents must contact school should any delays occur That the child s place may be withdrawn if the family do not return as expected 3.9.3 If the permission to take leave is not granted and the student still goes on holiday, the absence will be unauthorised. In such cases the school may request that Missing in Education Child Employment Services (MECES) issues a Penalty Notice. If it is suspected that a parent/carer has taken a child out of school for holiday purposes that have not been authorised and then the parent/carer has falsified a child s illness, then medical evidence will be sought. The absence will be recorded as truancy and reported to the MECES and a Penalty Notice may be issued. 3.9.4 Only in exceptional circumstances will absence of more than 10 school days be agreed. In such cases, consideration will also be given to cultural needs and family circumstances, such as minority ethnic children returning to their country of origin. In these cases, granting leave for longer periods than normal may be considered justified. In all cases, though, parents will be required to justify why the holiday needs to be taken during term time. 3.10 It is reasonable for a parent to allow their children not to attend school on any day of religious observance if recognised by the parent s religious body. 3.10.1 Parents are required to give advance notice to the school if they intend their child to be absent for Religious Observation. 3.10.2 However, in the interests of fulfilling the academic requirements of the school and limiting the authorised absence rate of the school, it is identified as reasonable that no more than one day be designated for any individual occasion of religious observance/festival and no more than three days in total in any academic year. Any further absence will be categorised as unauthorised. 5
3.11 Study Leave Study leave may be granted for Year 11 students approaching GCSE examinations. School will offer in school study programmes during this period to reduce absence levels and to maximise our students changes of success. 3.12 Late Arrival Registration begins at 8.30am, students arriving after this time will be marked as present but arriving late. The register will close at 8.50am, students arriving after the close of register will be recorded as late, this will not be authorised and will count as an absence for that school session. Students that arrive late (after 8.30 am) will be expected to sit a 20 minute lunch detention with the Attendance Officer. Failure to attend the lunch time detention will result in a one hour detention after school. 3.12.1 On arrival after the close of register, students must immediately report to Student Reception to ensure that we can be responsible for their health and safety whilst they are in school. 3.12.2 The absence will only be authorised if a satisfactory explanation for the late arrival can be provided, for example, attendance at a medical appointment. 3.12.3 The absence will be recorded as unauthorised if the student has arrived late without justifiable cause, for example, if they woke up late or were waiting for their uniform to dry or taking siblings to school or the bus being late. 3.13 Unauthorised absence Absences will not be authorised unless parents have provided a satisfactory explanation and that it has been accepted as such by the school. If a student fails to return and contact with the parents has not been made or received, the school may take the student off the school s roll after 20 school days in compliance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. This means that the child will lose their school place. 3.13.1 Examples of unsatisfactory explanations include: A student s/family member s birthday Shopping for uniforms Having their hair cut Closure of a sibling s school for INSET (or other) purposes Couldn t get up Illness where the child is considered well enough to attend school Holidays taken without the authorisation of school 3.14 Truancy Any student that truants from a normal school sessions (internally or externally) will placed in in isolation for one day in the Curriculum Plus Centre 4. Deletions from the Register 4.1 In accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006, students will only be deleted from the register when one of the following circumstances applies: The school is replaced by another school on a School Attendance Order The School Attendance Order is revoked by the local authority 6
The student has ceased to be of compulsory school age Permanent exclusion has occurred and procedures have been completed Death of a student Transfer between schools Student withdrawn to be educated outside the school system Failure to return from an extended holiday after both the school and the local authority have tried to locate the student A medical condition prevents their attendance and return to the school before ending compulsory school-age In custody for more than four months (in discussion with The Youth Offending Team) 20 days continuous unauthorised absence and both the local authority and school have tried to locate the student Left the school but not known where he/she has gone after both the school and the local authority have tried to locate the student 4.2 Castle View School will follow Essex County Council s Children Missing in Education Protocol when a pupil s whereabouts is unknown. 5. Roles and Responsibilities 5.1 Castle View School believe that good school attendance can only be achieved if it is viewed as a shared responsibility of the school staff, governors, parents, students and the wider school community. As such, the school will: Ensure that the importance and value of good attendance is promoted to students and their parents Annually review the school s Attendance Policy and ensure the required resources are available to fully implement the policy Ensure that the Registration Regulations, England, 2006 and other attendance related legislation is complied with Agree school attendance targets and submit these to the Local Authority within the agreed timescale each year and where appropriate link these to the Performance Management within the school Monitor the school s attendance and related issues through termly reporting Ensure that attendance data is reported to the Local Authority or DfE as required and on time Ensure that there is a named appropriate Manager to lead on attendance Ensure that the school has clear systems to report, record and monitor the attendance of all students, including those who are educated off-site Ensure that there are procedures for collecting and analysing attendance data frequently to identify causes and patterns of absence Ensure that data is understood and used to devise solutions and to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions 5.2 The school Attendance Lead: Has a key strategic role in improving attendance with the ability to influence school development and access resources Ensures attendance data is accurate and reliable in order to provide reports Actively promotes the importance and value of good attendance to students and their parents Forms positive relationships with students and parents Ensures that there is a whole school approach which reinforces good school attendance; with good teaching and learning experiences that encourage all students to attend and to achieve Monitors the implementation of the Attendance Policy and ensures the policy is reviewed annually 7
Ensures all staff are aware of the Attendance Policy and adequately trained to address attendance issues Ensures the Registration Regulations, England, 2006 and other attendance related legislation is complied with Returns school attendance data to the Local Authority and the Department for Children, Schools and Families as required and on time Ensures that systems to report, record and monitor the attendance of all students, including those who are educated off-site are implemented Ensures attendance data is collected and analysed frequently to identify causes and patterns of absence Interprets the data to devise solutions and to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions Develop a multi-agency response to improve attendance and support pupils and their families Document interventions used to a standard required by the local authority should legal proceedings be instigated 5.3 Student Support Officers/Head of Year/Form Tutors will: Actively promote the importance and value of good attendance to students and their parents/carers Form positive relationships with students and parents/carers Contribute to a whole school approach which reinforces good school attendance; with good teaching and learning experiences that encourage all students to attend and to achieve Comply with the Registration Regulations, England, 2006 and other attendance related legislation Implement systems to report, record and monitor the attendance of all students, including those who are educated off-site Analyse attendance data to identify causes and patterns of absence Contribute to the evaluation of school strategies and interventions Work with other agencies to improve attendance and support students and their families Document interventions used to a standard required by the local authority should legal proceedings be instigated 5.4 Request that Parents/Carers will: Talk to their child about good school attendance. Take a positive interest in their child s work and educational progress Instil the value of education and regular school attendance within the home environment Encourage their child to look to the future and have aspirations Contact the school if their child is absent to let them know the reason why and the expected date of return. Follow this up with a note where possible. Try to avoid unnecessary absences. Wherever possible make appointments for the Doctors, Dentists etc. outside of school hours Ask the school for help if their child is experiencing difficulties Inform the school of any change in circumstances that may impact on their child s attendance Support the school; take every opportunity to get involved in their child s education, form a positive relationship with school and acknowledge the importance of children receiving the same messages from both school and home Encourage routine at home, for example, bed times, home work, preparing school bag and uniform the evening before Not keep their child off school to go shopping, to help at home or to look after other members of the family Not take their child on holiday during term-time, if a parent decides to do this they need to send a written leave request to the Head Teacher in advance of booking the holiday 8
6. Using Attendance Data 6.1 We use electronic recording systems to ensure our data is reliable 6.2 We analyse our data to understand the reasons our students are absent form school 6.3 We identify vulnerable students and students who may become persistent Absentees (PA any student whose attendance is at or below 90%) 6.4 We ensure that we allocate time and resources to match levels of need with an emphasis on early intervention 6.5 Our data enables us to agree action or support plans, and strategies for: The whole school Individual students with attendance difficulties Vulnerable students New students or those admitted to our school mid-term Students returning after a period of absence PA students or students on track to become PA 6.6 Student s attendance will be monitored and may be shared with the Local Authority and other agencies if a student s attendance is a cause for concern. 6.7 The Head of Year, Student Support Officer and Form Tutors will receive a complete set of data. 6.8 The Head of Year and Student Support Officer will receive a complete set of data for their year groups. 6.9 Attendance data will also be used to identify emerging patterns and trends to inform whole school strategies to improve attendance and attainment. 6.10 Castle View School will share attendance data with the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the local authority as required. 6.11 All information shared will be done so in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. 7. Support Systems 7.1 Castle View School recognise that poor attendance is often an indication of difficulties in a child s life. This may be related to problems at home and or in school. Parents should make school aware of any difficulties or changes in circumstances that may affect their child s attendance and or behaviour in school, for example, bereavement, divorce/separation, incidents of domestic abuse. This will help the school identify any additional support that may be required. 7.2 Castle View School also recognise that some students are more likely to require additional support to attain good attendance, for example, those students with special educational needs, those with physical or mental health needs, migrant and refugee pupils and looked after children. 7.3 The school will implement a range of strategies to support attendance. Strategies used will Include: 9
Discussion and School Based Meetings with parents/carers and students Weekly Pastoral Team Attendance meetings Attendance focused assemblies Clear aims and school focus published around school Attendance rewards and incentives Attendance report cards Referrals to support agencies Attendance Ambassadors Friendship groups Data analysis Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning Parental information Tailored or personalised timetables Additional learning support Behaviour support CPC Reintegration support packages 7.4 Support offered to families will be child centred and planned in discussion and agreement with both parents/carers and students. 7.5 Where parents/carers fail or refuse to engage with the support offered and further unauthorised absence occurs, Castle View School will refer to MECES for legal proceedings. 8. Legal Sanctions 8.1 Prosecution: Where intervention fails to bring about an improvement in attendance, the Local Authority will be notified and legal action in the Magistrates Court may be taken. The school will provide the Local Authority with evidence required for a prosecution under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996 and will appear as a prosecution witness if required by the court. This is to ensure that parents realise their own responsibilities in ensuring attendance at school and most importantly about returning children to education. 8.1.1 Section 444 and 4441A of the Education Act 1996 states that if a parent fails to ensure the regular school attendance of their child if he/she is a registered pupil at a school and is of compulsory school age, then they are guilty of an offence. 8.1.2 A parent found guilty of this offence can be fined up to 2500 and or be imprisoned for a period of three months. 8.1.3 Alternatives to Section 444 and 4441A prosecution are Parenting Contracts, Penalty Notices or an Education Supervision Order. 8.3.4 A Penalty Notice gives the parent the opportunity to discharge themselves of their legal responsibility if a 60 fine is paid within 28 days or 120 if paid within 42 days of the date the Notice was issued. Notefrom September 2013 the duration of the payment date will be reduced to 28 days. 8.3.5 Failure to pay the Penalty Notice may result in a prosecution under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996. 10