Attendance

WHY IS GOOD ATTENDANCE IMPORTANT?

Good attendance and punctuality are vital for success at school and to establish positive life habits that are necessary for future success.  Through regular attendance, students can:

• Build friendships and develop social groups
• Develop life skills
• Engage in essential learning and other school social events
• Achieve their full potential
• Minimise the risk of engaging in antisocial behaviour and becoming victims or perpetrators of crime

All parents/carers should promote good attendance and work in partnership with the school to provide a cohesive approach.

WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?

All children of compulsory school age between 5 – 16 must receive a suitable full-time education.  As a parent/carer you are responsible for ensuring this happens, either by registering your child at school or by making appropriate alternative arrangements.

Once you have registered your child at school, you are legally responsible for ensuring that they attend regularly.  If you fail to do this – even if your child misses school without you knowing – legal action can be taken against you by the Local Authority.  It is a legal offence to fail to ensure your child attends school regularly.

Legal action may involve a penalty notice or being taken to court.  Parents also face the risk of imprisonment, Attendance contracts, Education Supervision Orders or Notices to Improve.

CAN MY CHILD EVER BE ABSENT?

When a student is absent from school this will be classed as either “authorised” or “unauthorised”.

Authorised reasons are only permitted for valid reasons such as:

• Medical / Dental appointments
• Religious Observations
• lllness
• Family Bereavement 

Wherever possible, parents/carers should always try to arrange medical or dental appointments during school holidays or after school hours.

Absence is to be reported daily on the MPA app and every day thereafter – failure to do this will result in a text alert being sent notifying you of your child's absence.

WHAT ARE UNAUTHORISED ABSENCES?

Unauthorised absences are those which the school does not consider essential or reasonable.

Unauthorised absences can include:

• Forgetting school term dates
• Oversleeping
• Family Holidays
• Leaving school for no reason during the school day
• Truancy before or during the school day
• Keeping students off school unnecessarily or without explanation
• Day trips or family outings
• Problems with uniform / clothing
• Birthdays or holidays 

HOLIDAYS DURING TERM TIME?

The school will not authorise an absence for a holiday during term time. 

Taking holidays during term time means that students miss important school time – both educationally and for other school activities.  It will be difficult for students to catch up on work when they return to school. 

Term time absence, including holidays must be requested at least 14 days in advance.

Term Time Absence Form

LATENESS AND TRUANCY

Good attendance doesn’t just involve being present in school – it also involves punctuality.  You also have a responsibility to ensure that your child arrives to school on time and to lessons promptly.

All students are expected to be in their form room by 8.30am every day.  Registration commences at 8.35am.  If a student is not in the classroom, they will receive a late mark

If a student arrives to school before 9.10am they will receive a “late” mark

If a student arrives after this time without a valid reason they will be recorded as an “unauthorised absence” 

HOW CAN WE HELP?

You can help in the follow ways

• Encourage good attendance by making sure your child attends school regularly
• Take an interest in your child's schoolwork
• Make sure your child understands that you do not approve of absence from school
• Support the school in our efforts to control inappropriate behaviour
• Inform us on the first day of absence and each subsequent day thereafter
• Cooperate with the school to make sure your child overcomes any attendance problems
• Only take your child out of school during term time for an authorised absence

If you require further help or guidance please use the contact link below.  Your email will be forwarded to the appropriate lead

contact@mpa.swecet.org