“From the first day of term to the last, the small moments in a school day make a real difference to your child. #AttendanceCounts”

What is Good Attendance?

Good attendance at school is when a child is in school for 96% (or more) of the time.  If your child has good attendance, they have the best chances of achieving their full potential. However, keeping track of what percentage of time a child has off is difficult. It is much easier to think about attendance in terms of days missed. 

• 98% attendance means 4 school days missed
• 96% attendance means 7 school days missed
• 90% attendance means 19 school days missed - considered persistently absent

The link between attendance and attainment is clear:

• In 2018/19, just 40% of persistently absent (PA) children in KS2 achieved expected KS2 standards, compared with 84% of pupils who were regular attenders.

But attendance is important for more than just attainment:

• Regular school attendance can help positive peer relationships, which supports positive mental health and wellbeing.

What happens if your child doesn't come to school?

• Your child doesn't learn as well and will get behind with their learning
• Parent's may be fined for not sending their children into school
• Your child might become bored at home and lose interest in some of the things that make them happy
• Children won’t get to socialise with their friends
• Children will miss out on opportunities to try and enjoy new things that they didn’t know they liked or things that will develop their confidence
• Children may miss out on special days, celebrations, educational visits, school clubs and team events

Absence

If your child is absent, please contact school on the First Day of Absence by:

• calling on 01202 290497 and selecting option 1 (there is the option to leave a voicemail if the line is busy)
• sending a text
• sending an email to office@stmichaelsprimary.bournemouth.sch.uk

We will require the following information:

• your child’s name and class
• your relationship to the child
• the reason for their absence

If you do not make contact, we will text you to confirm the reason for absence.

If a child continues to be absent for more than one day and no reason has been received, we will call all named contacts to ascertain the reason for absence.  The Head Teacher may use his discretion to make a decision as to whether a home visit is required.

Should your child be ill for several days or still be absent after the weekend, please call and update us.

High temperature

A high temperature is 38C or more.

Vomiting and diarrhoea

If your child is suffering from a vomiting or diarrhoea related illness, they should not return to school until 48 hours after their last bout.

Medical Appointment

If your child has a medical appointment, please contact the school to advise the time of the appointment and expected time to return to school.  Please bring the appointment letter/card so this may be noted on your child's record.

Lateness

Morning registration takes place between 08.40 and 08.50.  Teachers close the registers at 8.50 and any children arriving in their classroom after this time will be registered as late.  Children must then  enter school via the school office and will need to be accompanied by an adult and signed in.

Any child arriving after 09.00 will be recorded as an unauthorised absence for the morning session.

Pupils who are consistently late are disrupting not only their own education but also that of other children in their class.  Where persistent lateness gives cause for concern, further action may be taken.

Request for Absence in Term Time

All parents have a legal responsibility to ensure their children have regular school attendance. You do not legally have the right to take your child out of school during term time without the permission of the head teacher.  He must agree that the circumstances are exceptional and is able to authorise no more than 10 days.  If you wish to request time off in term time you should complete an absence request form which is available from the school office or can be downloaded below.

We expect all pupils to have at least 96% attendance to ensure they achieve the very best and get the most out of school.  In line with Government guidance, we continue to request that the Local Authority issues a penalty notice in instances of unauthorised absence and, where these have not been paid, the Local Authority has proceeded with a prosecution in a number of cases.  

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** draft version at Governors