MR Attendance Policy
Attendance Policy
Principle
The staff and Governors of Monks Risborough School believe that all children have the right to the best education possible and that this is achieved through regular attendance at school. Regular attendance will help a child achieve its full potential. The policy outlined below is in line with government recommendations and the law
Authorised Absence
Absences from school are categorised as either authorised or unauthorised. Only the school is able to authorise any absence and cannot do this automatically in every case. Reasons for authorising a child's absence could include illness, the period of a medical appointment or visiting a future secondary school. All other absences are regarded as unauthorised unless the Head teacher or governors decide that there is a legitimate reason for the absence to be authorised. This will only be done for good reasons.
Role of parents
Obviously, parents have the prime responsibility for ensuring that their child attends school regularly and punctually but if a child is not attending regularly for whatever reason, parents should discuss the matter with the school.
Parents should:
1. Ensure their child arrives at school on time and properly dressed.
2. Keep requests for their child to be absent to a minimum.
3. Not expect the school to authorise every absence.
4. Contact the school by 09.00 on each day of any absence, giving the reason for
the absence. This may be done by phone, in writing or, in person.
The school should:
1. Develop and promote its’ own attendance policy.
2. Maintain an attendance register.
3. Only authorise appropriate absences.
4. Before 9.30, contact the parent of any absent child who has not contacted
the school by 09.00.
5. Review attendance on a weekly basis. As a guideline, if a pupil’s attendance falls below 80% over a five week period, their parents may be sent a letter stating that the child’s attendance is causing concern and needs to improve. This is at the Headteacher’s discretion. If attendance does not improve over the next 3 weeks, the EWO’s involvement will be requested.
6. Inform the Educational Welfare Officer of all significant levels of absence and or
lateness.
Family Holidays in term time
It can be detrimental to a child's educational progress if annual holidays are taken during term time. A two week holiday amounts to 5% of the school year which, along with other absences, can leave a significant gap in a child's learning. Parents have the right to request a leave of absence but it is up to the Governors and Headteacher as to whether this is granted.
Applications for a leave of absence for an annual holiday must be made at least 1 month in advance and requests will only be granted in exceptional cases. Parents need to complete the required form to request a leave of absence and parents will be advised in writing if their request has been accepted or refused. We are not allowed to consider any leave longer than 10 school days - we are required to mark these as unauthorised - and only one annual holiday can be considered in each school year. No leaves of absence will be granted for the first week of any term or for the SATs week in May or for the 6 weeks prior to the SATs week.
November 2006