At Holy Trinity we want all of our children to enjoy coming to school.

Our attendance target is 96% but we hope for 100%.

Research has proven that there is a high correlation between school attendance and academic performance and success.

Absence from school is often the greatest single cause of poor performance and achievement. 

Why is it so important to attend every day?

• Learning is a progressive activity; each day’s lessons build upon those of the previous day(s).
• Reading the material and completing work independently does not compensate for direct interaction with the teacher.
• Many classes use discussions, demonstrations, experiments and participation as part of the daily learning activities, and these cannot be made up by those who are absent.

Are there other benefits to my child? 

• Pupils with good attendance records generally achieve higher grades and enjoy school more.
• Having a good education will help to give your child the best possible start in life. Routines established early will support children in the next stage of their education and in to their future world of work.
• Regular school attendance patterns encourage the development of other responsible patterns of behaviour.
• Pupils who attend regularly make positive relationships which support their well-being.

What are the risks of frequent absences?

• A child who does not attend school regularly will be unlikely to keep up with the work.
• The more pupils miss school, the harder they find the work; the harder they find it, the less they want to stay in school.

What can parents do to help?

• Parents must model the value of education, including the importance of regular attendance.
• Make sure that your child goes to school regularly and arrives on time-you will establish a good habit that they will carry through life.
• If your child starts missing school, work with the school to put things right. Make sure your child understands that you do not approve of him/her missing school.
• If your child is ill or must miss school for some other reason, contact school immediately. 
• Do not expect school to approve of shopping trips, birthday treats etc. during school hours. Arrange family holidays so that your child will not miss any learning.
• Take an interest in your child’s school work and be involved in the school as much as possible-your child will value school more if you do.

Leave of Absence in Term Time

The Headteacher may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances

• Leave of absence will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances by a working party of governors. Proof of the circumstance must be provided when the written request is made. Where possible leave of absences should be requested at least 4 weeks in advance.
• Exceptional circumstances do not include family holidays, visiting relatives or friends, attending sporting or other events, looking after family members who are unwell, birthdays, shopping or babysitting younger family members.
• Where parents continue with a leave of absence which has not been authorised or a child does not return to school on the date agreed LA procedures will be adhered to. A G code (holiday without authorisation) will be applied. Any absence beyond 5 days will be referred as a matter of course to the Attendance and Prosecution office. The officer will then decide on an appropriate course of action (a warning letter or fine) depending on the circumstances.

A penalty is a fine to parents or carers if they fail to ensure that their child/ren attend  school regularly.

If a penalty notice is issued, it will be one fine to cover the whole period of the absence. So the fine would be the same amount for an absence of five days or 10 days. For example, a parent could be issued with £60.00 fine if their child misses one day of school each week over a five week period, whilst another parent might be issued the same fine for one two-week block of absence.

Penalty fines are £60.00 per child per parent if paid within 21 days, and £120 if paid between 22 and 28 days. If the fine is not paid, parents will be reported for prosecution.

REMEMBER – Regular attendance is necessary for success in school. Help ensure that your child has the best opportunity for success by making sure he/she is in school every day.

What should I do if my child is absent from school?

• Contact the school office on the first morning of absence to notify us of the reason for absence.
• Medical documentation may be requested for any absence from parents of children who are frequently absent from school because of minor illnesses or absence immediately adjacent to a school holiday. They may also be offered a referral to the School Nurse.
• Provide medical documentation (e.g. letters/appointment cards) in advance of any medical appointments (e.g. hospital/dentist). Routine dental check-ups or non-emergency doctor’s appointments should, where possible, be made outside of school hours or, if this is not possible, at the very end of the school day.

Illness

If your child is absent from school due to illness, please notify the office on the first day of absence before 9:00am. School will make contact with families if a pupil is absent and the office has not been notified, where contact cannot be gained the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.  

Drop off on Time

School starts at 8.45am.  At Holy Trinity we offer a soft start to the day from 8.35am to allow some flexibility in dropping off. School staff support pupils during this time to close any gaps in learning, to rehearse quick maths recall, hearing pupils read and other activities. All classroom doors are locked at 8.50am prompt.  If your child arrives after this time, they should be taken to the main office, where staff will record their arrival at school. 

Late Arrival at School

If your child arrives at school late (after the bell at 8.50am), they will only be able to access the building via the main entrance due to all other doors being locked for security reasons.  They must report to the office to ensure they are marked in the relevant registers and to give an explanation for their lateness. All late arrivals are logged in a ‘late book’ for the Welfare and Safeguarding Officer.

Pick up on Time

We expect every pupil to be picked up on time at the end of the day.   If, in an emergency, you are going to be later than 3.15pm, please contact the school office so we can ensure your child remains safe.  If your child is left uncollected they will be taken to the school office and every effort will be made to contact you or other emergency contacts. School has a charging and remissions policy will details charges for continued late collection of children.  If you would like your year 6 child to walk home please send a request letter to the class teacher.  

100% Attendance

We expect every pupil to strive for 100% attendance; this is to ensure children experience the best and most consistent form of school life and learning. At school, we will reward individual pupils, as well as whole classes, who achieve 100% attendance. At home, we ask that families do all they can to ensure excellent attendance; this is with particular regard to ensuring that all holidays are booked out of term-time.

Parents do not have the legal right to take children out of school on holiday, and as such any absences (for family holiday or extended leave) will be classed as unauthorised and may result in a fine being issued. School holidays amount to a total of 14 weeks per year, and we would, therefore, expect that holidays are arranged during these weeks.

We will arrange an appointment with the school’s attendance officer should we believe it necessary.

How You Can Help Improve Attendance:

• Make sure your child understands the importance of good attendance and punctuality.
• Don’t let your child miss school for minor ailments.
• Arrange appointments and outings after school hours or at weekends or during school holidays.
• Check the school website and newsletters for term dates when planning holidays.

We understand that children do get sick and we are not asking you to send your children to school when they are unwell, but we are asking you to ensure they return to school as soon as they are able to do so.

A large amount of time is dedicated to monitoring attendance by the office staff. Some attendance initiatives are listed below:

• We have a first day response, therefore each parent is called if their child is absent and we have not heard from them. 
• 100% individual attendance prizes and certificates are given out at the end of each term.  
• The class with the best attendance each week receives some extra playtime.
• Referrals to Welfare and Safeguarding Officer and School Nurse when required.
• All unauthorised absences will be monitored and will lead to parents being fined by the Early Intervention Service (more information/leaflets are available from the school office).

What Counts as Unauthorised Absence?

• Any absence from school that the school has not permitted or cannot give permission for
• Truancy from school, with or without a parent’s knowledge (including pupils found during truancy sweeps)
• Inappropriate parentally-condoned absence (i.e. you know your child is absent from school and you do nothing about it)
• Late arrival at school (after the register has closed)
• Term time holidays.

Please note your child risks losing their school place if they are absent (unauthorised) from school for a protracted period of time.