As a parent, ensuring your child’s regular attendance at school is your legal responsibility and permitting absence from school without good reason is an offence and may result in referral to the Education Welfare Service.
Government guidelines state that attendance figures of 90% or less is classed as ‘persistent absence’. The government expects that in order to reach a child’s full potential, they must attend school for a minimum of 96% of the year. At St Robert's, we will inform you each term of your child’s attendance rates. We will also notify you in writing if we feel that attendance should be improved to prevent further action being taken.
If your child attends school between 96% and 100%, they have the potential to achieve their best, educationally and socially.
- 10 days off per year = 94.7%
- Whilst 90% attendance might sound good …
- * 90% = ½ day off each week per year * 90% = 1 month off school per year * 90% = 1 whole school year in career … reducing continuity of education
The Department for Education made changes regarding Leave of Absence during term time. Leave of Absence is not permitted during term time unless there are ‘exceptional circumstances’. Taking a Leave of Absence without prior discussion or consent will result in an unauthorised absence. Family holidays will very rarely be considered as ‘exceptional circumstances’. Our Leave of Absence policy and form highlights these exceptions.
The school day starts at 8:55am and we expected children to be in their class at 9am ready to learn. The door will open at 8:45am and the school day finishes at 3:15pm. The children will attend school for 32hours and 15mins in a typical week.
Summary of School Attendance Policy:
- St St Robert's, we expect children to attend school every day, as long as they are fit and healthy enough to do so.
- If your child is not well enough to attend school, we expect a parent to contact the school office as soon as possible giving a specific reason for the absence and continue to call everyday that your child is absent.
- Because we have a duty of care for safeguarding your child, we will contact you if we do not receive a call on a daily basis to ensure we know your child is safe.
