Wed Jun 19 2013

Governors, being mindful of the need to ensure continuity of education for all pupils, have noted the DCSF Pupil Registration Regulation (1995) and section 444 of the Education Act 1996. Accordingly the following policy has been adopted in order to maximise attendance at school.

 

Absence from school can only be authorised by the School; any absences not authorised by the School will, therefore, be deemed unauthorised. 

 

If a pupil is absent through illness, authorisation can be given following the pupil�s return to school. Authorisation for all other absences will only be given if the application for Leave of Absence is made two weeks in advance of the proposed date of absence.

 

Leave of Absence for medical, dental appointments, etc. will normally be authorised, providing the parent/carer with whom the child normally resides makes a request in writing prior to the appointment.

 

Leave of Absence for other reasons will be granted only in exceptional circumstances (as determined by the Headteacher).

 

All applications will need to be made in writing and, if authorised, the pupil will be issued with a �pupil pass�.

 

The School does not have to agree to absence for a holiday although it has the power to do so, up to a period of ten school days.

 

Leave of Absence for all annual holiday, on application made by a parent/carer with whom the pupil normally resides, will be granted only in exceptional circumstances (as determined by the Headteacher).

 

All applications need to be made on the appropriate form available from the School Reception.

 

The decision of the Headteacher will be conveyed in writing to the parent(s)/carer(s) concerned.

 

Governors have noted the increasing practise of removing children from school on the day(s) preceding the end of term or half term break (either for the full or half day) in order that the family may, for example, make an early start to their holiday. A similar problem exists where pupils return late from a holiday. Governors have, therefore, further agreed not to grant Leave of Absence for this purpose save in the most exceptional circumstances (as determined by the Headteacher).

 

Notice of term dates will be published at least a year in advance in the Headteacher's Bulletin. Further information will be provided in the Parents� Handbook, which is updated annually.

 

Individual attendance rate, and also number of authorised/unauthorised absences, will be reported to parents/carers on an annual basis. This information may be recorded on the pupil�s Progress File or reference.

 

 

The School is committed to reducing pupil absence to a minimum. In order to achieve this aim an Attendance Officer is employed who will be the first point of contact with the School for a parent/carer wishing to report an absence.

 

Unauthorised absence will be followed up by the Attendance Officer, who will work closely with the Heads of School and Deputy Headteacher (Pastoral) to ensure that appropriate strategies/actions are initiated at the earliest opportunity.

 

The School is a strong supporter of the fixed penalty initiative and will provide whatever data/documentation is necessary to enable the Education Welfare Officer to issue Fixed Penalty Notices whenever appropriate.