Late / Absence Procedures
Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Primary School is committed to providing excellence for students of all abilities - high attendance and good punctuality is essential for students to work to their potential, be successful and benefit from the opportunities available to them at the school. For our children to gain the greatest benefit from their education it is vital that they attend regularly.
Achieving high attendance is a necessity in preparing students for future working life as an adult. Students should be at the school, on time and every day that the school is open unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable.
It is very important therefore that parents and carers recognise the responsibility and obligation to make sure that students attend regularly. Together school-parents can ensure that children receive the best possible start.
The Importance of Regular Attendance
Any absence affects the pattern of a child’s schooling and regular absence will seriously affect their learning. Any student’s absence disrupts teaching routines so may affect the learning of others in the same class.
Ensuring students’ regular attendance at the school is the legal responsibility of parent by law- all children of compulsory school age must attend school. Poor attendance not only undermines a child’s education and future life chances, it sometimes puts children at risk, encouraging anti-social behaviour. Permitting absence from the school without a good reason creates an offence in law and may result in prosecution.
Promoting Regular Attendance
Helping to create a habit of regular attendance is everybody’s responsibility – parents, students and all members of school staff.
To maintain a focus on this the school will:
- Report to parents once a term on how their child is performing at the school. This will include information about their attendance and punctuality.
- Celebrate good attendance.
- Reward good or improving attendance through stamps, certificates, prizes, events and trips, both in and outside the school.
ABSENCE PROCEDURES
If a student is absent parents should:
- Contact the school by 9am ideally on the first day of absence; the dedicated telephone number is 0151 525 6358 option 2.
- Absence can also be sent via Parent APP.
- Send a note in on the first day that the student returns with an explanation of the absence
- You must do this even if you have already telephoned us;
- Parents/Carers may also call into the school and report to office staff, who will arrange for a member of staff to speak with them.
- For absences that extend to a week [5 school days] some form of medical evidence is required; this can be in the form of a Doctor’s note/copy prescription/sight of prescribed medication/completed school form.
If a student is absent the school will:
- Telephone or text parents/carers on the first day of absence if a message [which explains the absence] has not been received.
- Invite parents in to discuss the situation with the Attendance Officer and /or Headteacher, if absences persist;
Telephone numbers:
- There are times when the school will need to contact parents on a range of issues, including absence, so it is essential that the school has up to date contact numbers at all times. As we use a texting service this is very important. There will be regular checks on telephone numbers throughout the year.
Lateness:
Poor punctuality is not acceptable. If a student misses the start of the day, they will start the day unsettled and miss vital elarning time. Late arriving students also disrupt lessons for others. Persistent poor punctuality will result in sanctions being applied e.g. an attendance or punctuality contract or detention.
How we manage lateness:
- At 8.55am the school day starts and students are expected to be in class at that time.
- From 8.45 students can access the school building
- 9.15am sharp the gates close so the latest time a student should arrive is 9.10am
- At 9.25am the registers are closed
In accordance with the Regulations, if students arrive after 10am they will receive a mark that shows them to be on site, but this will not count as a present mark and it will mean they have an unauthorised absence. This may mean that parents could face the possibility of a Penalty Notice if the problem persists.
If a student has a persistent late record, parents/carers may be asked to meet with the Headteacher or Attendance Officer to resolve the problem. Parents/Carers can approach the school at any time if they experience problems getting their child to the school on time.