Attendance

We want to see all our pupils with above 97% attendance that is no more than 5 days off in a year

Research shows that good school attendance impacts upon children’s success in learning and their wellbeing.  Good attendance helps children to achieve good results, helps them to fulfil their potential and gives them a chance of a better future.. Hill View Junior Academy has an effective system of incentives and rewards that acknowledges the efforts of pupils to improve their attendance and timekeeping, for example through our attendance bear reward promoted weekly in assemblies and published on our Facebook page. We will also establish an effective and efficient system of communication with pupils, parents and appropriate agencies to provide mutual information, advice and support.

Pupils will be encouraged  to achieve 100% attendance but we appreciate that some absence may be unavoidable. Where this is the case, Parents/Carers should contact Mrs Fox in the school office on the first day of absence to explain the reason and provide an estimate of how long the absence is likely to last. This message is passed to the class teacher. If the school has not been informed on the first day of absence by 9:30am the school will contact the parent / carer. The school will not authorise an absence if no reason, or legitimate reason, is provided.

Holidays

As detailed in our Attendance Policy, holidays in term time, only in exceptional circumstances, may be authorised up to a maximum of 10 days per academic year by the Headteacher. The Head Teacher will take into consideration the absence record of the pupil and will not authorise requests if the child’s attendance figure is already below 96.8%. 

Parents will be at risk of fines from the LA if the holiday taken is more than 10 days. No holidays will be authorised during the SATs week for Year 6 pupils

Medical Appointments

Parents are asked to, wherever possible, arrange medical appointments outside of school hours. Where this is not possible an appointment card should be shown to the school office when the pupil is collected. Pupils will not be allowed to leave the premises unless accompanied by an adult.

Punctuality

The school day starts promptly at 8.50 a.m. If a child arrives at school after 8.50 a.m. without prior arrangements having been agreed, he/she will be deemed late.  Registers close at 9.00 a.m. and arrival at school after this time, without prior approval or extenuating circumstances, will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.

Pupils arriving at school after 8.50 a.m. must enter through the main gates and report to the school office to be signed in by an adult. They will only gain a late mark if they get to class after the registration window closes at 9am.

Pupils leaving school for any reason must report to the office before they go so that we can ensure that they are appropriately signed out.  Registers are also taken when the children return to classes after lunch. Unexplained absences will be investigated by Mrs Fox.

Parents, school and the Local Authority share legal responsibilities in respect of school attendance.

In order to do this: 

What is expected of the school?

• Ensure every child attends school regularly.
• ensure children are on time for school.
• Ensure each child has access to vital learning opportunities.
• Ensure that every child has the best possible chance of success.
• Provide a safe, positive and stimulating learning environment
• Work closely with parents/carers and pupils and provide support 

What is expected of the parents?

• To keep requests for their child to be absent to a minimum
• To offer a reason, or medical proof, for any period of absence, preferably before the absence or on the first day of absence
• To ensure that their child arrives at school on time, a reason should be offered for any lateness
• To work closely with the school (Mrs Sutton and Mrs Fox) to resolve any problems that may impede a child’s attendance
• To take family holidays during school holiday periods and be aware that requests for holidays during term time will be refused except in special/exceptional circumstances.
• To be aware of curriculum requirements and be especially vigilant with regards to attendance during important academic times such as SATS
• To support their child and recognise their successes and achievements

What is expected of the pupils?

• To respect themselves and others; to encourage friendship and a sense of belonging
• To do all they can to attend school regularly and punctually
• To inform a trusted adult if they feel that they are being bullied or in anyway feel unhappy at school
• To be happy and encourage others to feel happy

Relevant Documents

Attendance Policy

Leave of Absence Form

DFE Guidance ‘Working together to improve school attendance’.