Attendance -

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Constant monitoring of children's attendance

At The West Park Academy we view excellent attendance and punctuality as vitally important for the learning and progress of the children. Your child’s time at school is very valuable, they only get the chance once! It is therefore very important that they miss as little school as possible.

Research shows that children who have good school attendance are more likely to do well in the future. Regular attendance also helps children to develop their confidence and make and keep lasting friendships.

Improving Attendance remains one of our biggest target areas as an Academy and as such we celebrate good attendance. At the end of each week the class with the highest attendance receive the attendance trophy to keep in their class for the following week. We have a chart on the wall in the hall for each class, with an arrow which points to their attendance achievement for that week.

We have a termly presentation of 100% attendance certificates and children who have got 100% at the end of the school year receive a special certificate and will go on a visit paid for by the school.

Thank you for your support in getting your child into school on time everyday.

Attendance Policy 2017

Reporting Absences

Promoting attendance and punctuality

Any absences should be reported to the academy before 8.45am on the first day of absence, and every day that follows. Telephone: 01623 460274

Roles and Responsibilities

The West Park Academy

To ensure parents/carers understand the importance of punctuality and attendance.
To monitor attendance and punctuality weekly.
To contact parents/carers if no reason has been received for a child’s absence.
To inform parents/carers if a child’s attendance falls below 90% or if poor punctuality is having a significant effect upon a child’s education.
To write and meet parents if attendance is poor or punctuality does not improve after initial letter.
To offer advice and support families.
To contact Family Services/Local Authority if unauthorised absences persist.
To provide a range of incentives to encourage excellent attendance. Currently they include, certificates, class medals, a Family Prize Draw and competitions

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Parents and Carers

To ensure your child attends every day unless they are unwell.
To inform the academy by telephone on the FIRST day of absence because of illness, and everyday that follows.
Try and arrange Medical appointments outside of the academy day.
Where medical appointments cannot be taken out of academy hours medical evidence is taken to the school office to authorise the absence.
To bring and collect your children promptly. If your child is late they must be signed into the academy at the main office.
Holidays are avoided during term time.
A letter to the Principal is sent at least one month in advance if you believe it is unavoidable to take your child on holiday during term time.
Ensure that the academy is informed if someone different will be collecting your child.

Important Statistics

➢ 95% attendance means that your child has missed two weeks of school.
➢ 90% attendance means that your child has missed four weeks of school/half a day every week.
➢ 80% attendance means that your child has missed eight weeks of school.
➢ Attendance of below 90% over five years is equivalent to your child missing half a year of school.
➢ Attendance below 80% over five years means that your child misses a whole year of school.

➢ Research suggests that 17 missed school days a year equals a drop in GCSE grade (Department for children, schools and families).
➢ Only a quarter of pupils will achieve GCSE grades A to C if their attendance is below 90%.
➢ Pupils who are frequently absent from school are more likely to become involved or be a victim of crime and anti-social behaviour.
➢ Poor attendance suggests to future employers that the individual is unreliable. Get into good habits early.
➢ Missing 10% (about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read.
➢ One of the most effective ways for providing pathways out of poverty is by doing what it takes to get children into school every day.