Our Attendance Target

We have a minimum attendance target for every child of 96%.

If your child's attendance drops below 90% they are classed as being persistently absent.

Attendance and punctuality (arriving at school on time) are closely monitored and action is taken.

The Importance of Arriving at School on time: Punctuality

Punctuality is the responsibility of all parent/carers and children. It is really important in terms of teaching the importance of good timekeeping and encouraging responsibility, self organisation and to prepare children for the future world of work.

The school day starts at 8:55am.

Registers are completed and sent to the office at 9am.

For safeguarding reasons our doors close at 8:55am.

Children are expected to be in the classroom no later that 9am.

Any children arriving at school after 8:55am are required to report at the main office so that they can be marked as being at school and a record of their late arrival and any reason given can be made for monitoring purposes. They will then be met at their designated entrance by a member of staff. Parents are expected to wait with their child until the child enters the school building.

Working with Parents and Carers

Mrs Collins is employed as our full time Safeguarding and Attendance Officer.

She works very closely with parents and carers and is there to help and support families. Please do not hesitate to contact her if you feel that you would benefit from some support, advice and help, particularly if you are struggling to get your child to school.

An important part of her role is to monitor the attendance of individual children for whom we have concerns due to poor levels of attendance. Mrs Collins is able to identify patterns in attendance and works closely with other schools and the Local Authority to ensure that we address any attendance issues with the sole purpose of improving attendance.

Please understand that if she does make contact with you she is merely doing her job and is following Local Authority procedures.

If your child is absent, you MUST:

• Phone school (0191 526 2006) as soon as possible before 9am on the first day of absence to inform us that your child will not be at school and how long they are likely to be absent for .

• Keep us informed on a regular basis if your child is absent for a long period.

FAILURE TO DO THESE THINGS MAY RESULT IN YOUR CHILD'S ABSENCES BEING UNAUTHORISED.

Persistent Absence

If your child's attendance falls to below 90%, the Government sees this as being persistent absence. Where attendance falls to below 90% and there are unauthorised absences, this may result in a referral to the Local Authority for enforcement action.

The Importance of Good Attendance (95% and above)

Regular attendance at school is vital to help children achieve and get the best possible start in life.

Children who frequently miss school often fall behind. There is a strong link between good school attendance and achieving good results even beyond primary school. For example research shows that only 12% of children with below 80% school attendance, achieve 5 or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and Maths, compared to 68% of pupils with at least 95% attendance.

Young people who are frequently absent from school are more likely to become involved in or be a victim of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Your Responsibilities as a Parent

All children from the age of 5 to 16 are required by law to receive an education. It is the duty of parents and carers to ensure that they are supported to do so.