School Attendance
At Staunton and Corse Academy, we recognise that regular and punctual attendance at school is vital if children are to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them and to achieve their full potential. We believe we offer a supportive approach to attendance and encourage our families to contact us should there be any barriers to your child arriving at school on time every day. In September 2024 new rules around attendance were issued so please ensure you read the following and review any holiday plans during term time you may have as a family.
New Attendance Rules Parents Need to Know for September 2024
You will know that if a child misses just one day of school, that is one day’s worth of education lost. If it’s more than one day, those losses will be cumulative and the effect on long-term prospects could not be more damaging. Before COVID-19, absenteeism had been on the decline, but since the lockdowns, it appears attitudes towards attendance have changed and we are now seeing a steep increase in absenteeism once again - around 380,000 fewer pupils were persistently off school last year than the year before. This does not consider the number of children not attending school due to SEND/SEMH.
Ministers have now published guidance on managing school attendance, which has become mandatory since September 2024. Here's what you need to know.
£80 fines and Improvement Notices
Absence fines charged to parents will rise from £60 to £80, or £160 if not paid within 21 days. From the Autumn term of 2024, only two fines can be issued to the same parent for the same child within a three-year rolling period. Any notice thereafter will automatically be charged at £160. Parents will also receive "improvement notices", where they are informed that this is their last opportunity to engage with education and improve their child's attendance before a fine is issued.
National fine thresholds
Since September 2024, schools will have to consider a fine if a pupil misses 10 sessions (half days) of unauthorised absence in a rolling period of 10 school weeks. They should “not have a blanket position of issuing or not issuing penalty notices”. The threshold can be met with “any combination of unauthorised absence”. For example, four sessions in term time plus six instances of arriving late.
Long-Term Sickness to be Flagged with Local Authorities
Schools will give councils the name and address of sick pupils who they believe will miss 15 consecutive or cumulative days. Schools will also be “expected to inform a pupil’s social worker and/or youth offending team worker if there are unexplained absences from school”.
Mental Health Awareness
All schools should now be particularly mindful of pupils absent from school due to mental or physical ill health or their special educational needs and/or disabilities and provide them with additional support.
The guidance acknowledges that “many children will experience normal but difficult emotions that make them nervous about attending school, such as worries about friendships, schoolwork, examinations or variable moods”. But it is “important to note that these pupils are still expected to attend school regularly”.
Working together to improve school attendance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
“Good attendance” means 96% attendance (which is 8 days off across the school year). This is our whole school attendance target which is in line with the Government’s national expectation of 96%. Going to school regularly is important for every child's future. Parents are responsible for making sure that their children receive a full-time education.
Children feeling unwell
Children can’t help being sick and sometimes they have an illness that will require time off school and a visit to the doctors. However, taking regular one or two days off soon adds up! Sometimes our children have coughs and colds and may not feel their normal self but they are probably well enough for school.
If a child has a minor illness (e.g. a headache, cold or a sore throat etc.), we ask that Parents/Carers bring them into school and inform staff that their child is feeling unwell. We will always contact Parents/Carers if a child’s condition worsens or if they become poorly during the school day.
Attendance Figures
Did you know? – 90% attendance may seem like an acceptable level of attendance, but the reality is that 90% attendance means that your child will miss 19 days of the school year which is nearly 4 weeks!
97% and above – Less than 6 days absence in a school year. Pupils with this attendance should achieve the best possible outcomes.
96% – 8 days absence in a school year. “Good attendance”. Pupils with this attendance are more likely to achieve their targets. We will contact parents/carers via letter as soon as a child’s attendance falls below 96%.
92% – 15 days absence in a school year. Pupils with this attendance are missing 3 weeks of school per year; it will be difficult for them to achieve their best. The school may ask for medical proof to authorise further absences.
90% – 19 days absence over the school year. Pupils with this attendance are missing approximately a month (19 days) of school per year and may fall behind academically. With this level of attendance, the Department for Education considers children to be a ‘Persistent Absentee’.
85% – 29 days absence in a school year. These pupils are missing approximately 6 weeks of school a year. It will be very difficult for them to keep up and achieve their best.
80% – 75% – Pupils with this attendance are missing a day for every week of school! It will be almost impossible to keep up with their work. Parents of pupils with this level of attendance will be made known to the Local Authority Attendance Team and may face legal action.
At Staunton and Corse Primary Academy, we set high expectations about attendance from nursery to Year 6. If your child has a place in our nursery or school, we expect them to attend.
Please read the recent Government guidance for parents regarding attendance and taking your child out of school: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/02/29/fines-for-parents-for-taking-children-out-of-school-what-you-need-to-know/
It is every child's right to attend.
Our approach to attendance is evidence-informed and child-centred. We have created a welcoming environment to allow all children to gain a sense of belonging and ultimately achieve academically through regular school attendance. We use our whole curriculum to enable every child to feel valued and to shine. It is within this context that we strive to ensure each child's attendance is good.
We record details of every child's attendance and absence from school. We do this at the start of each morning and afternoon session. If your child is absent, we kindly request you inform the school on 01452 840240 before the start of the school day before or at 8:45am or please email admin@stauntoncorse.gloucs.sch.uk
The Local Authority receives this attendance information for each child and the Department for Education receives attendance data for each school.
Frequently asked questions about attendance:
What can I do to help my child achieve good attendance?
- Ensure regular and early bedtimes.
- Have uniform and equipment prepared the night before.
- Report any academic or social concerns promptly.
- Keep open and honest communication with the school.
- Be positive about school (even if your own experience was less than positive).
- Discuss your child’s timetable/lessons with them each evening.
- Make routine medical appointments outside of school hours
- Attend meetings and parents' evenings
Why is it important to have up-to-date phone numbers?
- We may need to contact you in a range of situations and we must have up-to-date contact numbers. If a pupil is absent from school with no contact from parents then school staff will attempt to contact all emergency numbers to establish the whereabouts and wellbeing of the child. Where school staff have been unable to make contact further action such as home visits, safe and well checks and referrals to other agencies (including the police), may need to be made.
My child appears worried/anxious about attending school what should I do?
- If your child has any concerns about attending school or is showing any reluctance to attend then we ask that you make contact with the school immediately. Your child’s class teacher, the Assistant Headteacher and the Headteacher are all available to offer support and discuss any issues impacting attendance and your child's well-being.
My child is too unwell to attend school today what should I do?
- Whilst children can attend school with minor ailments such as ear aches, coughs and colds, there are occasions when it is not in their best interest to attend because they are too unwell or at risk of spreading an infectious illness. When a parent makes the judgement that their child is unfit for school due to illness, they must notify the school on the day of absence, and subsequent days by 8.45am. They must give a reason for the absence and the expected date of return to school. Medical evidence will not be requested unless there are significant concerns about attendance and parents will be advised of this in writing. When medical evidence is requested by the school this doesn’t require a doctor’s note and can include:
- Copies of Prescriptions
- Copy of appointment cards and letters
- Copy of hospital letters and discharge letters
- Sight of prescribed medication
Will legal action be taken if my child is absent from school?
- The minimal time for appointments should be taken from school and children are expected to attend prior to/after appointments and not be absent for a full school day.
- We would ask that all routine medical and dental appointments be arranged outside of school hours. Where children are undergoing medical or dental treatment, or under the care of a specialist and appointments cannot possibly be made outside of school hours the time for the appointment and travel will be authorised.
Can my child be absent from school for medical appointments?
- To help parents with decisions around illness and attendance we have also included a public health poster below titled 'Should I keep my child off school?':
- We are also including a link to an NHS page titled 'Is my child too ill for school?' This provides parents with useful guidance when a child is ill, as to when they could be in school and when they should be kept off from school.
- https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/
If your child requires medicine administered whilst at school please contact Mrs Rose in the office and complete the medical permission slip here. We cannot give your child medicine without written authorisation. Please state the time the last dose was administered. Thank you.
