Attendance
Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day – missing school puts them behind. At our school we want our children to have a great education and the building blocks for this begin with children coming to school every day. If children miss school regularly they miss out on learning the fundamental skills that will set them up for success in later life.
Percentage Attendance Per School Year | Number of days lost per year | Number of weeks lost per year | Number of lessons missed |
100%-98% (Outstanding) | 0-4 days | Less than 1 week | 0-16 lessons |
98%-95% (Good) | 5-9 days | 1-2 weeks | 16-36 lessons |
95%-93% (Satisfactory) | 9-13 days | 2-3 weeks | 36-52 lessons |
93%-85% (Unsatisfactory) | 13-28 days | 3-6 weeks | 52-112 lessons |
Below 85% (Significant Risk) | More than 28 days | More than 6 weeks | More than 112 lessons |
Requesting a known absence:
If you wish to request a term-time absence, please put your request in writing to the Headteacher explaining the length and nature of the absence. Please note: the school will not authorise holiday absences under any circumstances, and may request a fixed penalty notice for any unauthorised absence of more than 5 days (10 sessions).
Absence can be authorised if:
Absence will be counted as unauthorised if:
We monitor every pupil’s attendance on a weekly basis. Whist we expect every child's attendance to be 100% we appreciate circumstances may not always allow this. Good attendance is celebrated and rewarded each term. If attendance drops below 95% we will to write to you and we will work with you to explore the reasons and see how best you can be supported.
No holidays in term time are authorised and any holidays exceeding 5 days (10 sessions) will incur a fixed penalty fine.
Please read the information below concerning the national changes to the attendance process from September 24
From 19th August 2024 the attendance rules nationally have changed.
1. A Penalty Notice will be issued for unauthorised absences once there are a minimum of 10 sessions (5 days) within a 10 school week period (previously within a 7 week period). The Penalty Notice will be issued per child, per parent. The Penalty Notice amount is £160 if paid within 28 days. However, this will be reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days.
2. For a second Penalty Notice issued within a 3-year rolling period to the same parent in respect of the same child, the Penalty Notice is £160 if paid within 28 days. There is no option for this second offence to be reduced to the lower rate of £80.
If the Penalty Notice remains unpaid after 28 days, then you may be prosecuted for failing to secure regular school attendance.
3. A third Penalty Notice cannot be issued to the same parent for the same child within a 3-year rolling period. Should you continue to incur further unauthorised absences then alternative action will be considered, which could include a prosecution for failing to secure regular school attendance.
More information about taking time off in term time and these changes can be found on the South Gloucestershire Council website (southglos.gov.uk) under ‘Holidays during school term time’.
It is important that if you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s attendance you contact Mrs Willoughby, Mrs Pritchard or Miss Griffiths so we can discuss these with you.