Attendance

attendance

Attendance Documents

Reporting Absences

Any absences should be reported to the academy before 8.45am on the first day of absence, and every day that follows. Telephone: 01623 460274

If you are experiencing any difficulities which are affecting your ability to bring your child to school, come and see us. We are here to help. 

Attendance Policy

Our school attendance target is 95% and children’s attendance is closely monitored at The West Park Academy. Your child’s time at school is very valuable – they only get once chance at their education! Therefore, it is vitally important that they miss as little school as possible. Research shows that children who have good school attendance are more likely to do well in the future. Regular attendance also helps children to develop their confidence and make and keep lasting friendships.

However, we do realise that absences due to illness or medical matters can be unavoidable and school is not the place for a child to be if they are unwell. 

We want to reward children who have good attendance and so we have a number of incentives throughout the school:

Weekly Rewards

  • In our Superstar assembly at the end of each week, the class with the highest attendance receive the attendance trophy to keep in their class for the following week. In addition, all classes whose attendance is over a certain percentage earns a voucher which comes with a monetary value, which is saved up throughout the year for the class to spend at the end of the year. We have a chart on the wall in the hall for each class, which shows each class how their attendance savings are growing. 
  • The class with the best attendance for that week receives the Attendance Cup to keep for the week.

Termly

  • Names of 100% attenders are put in a Prize Box. There are two prizes awarded in each Key Stage for the name pulled out of the box. 
  • Attendance certificates are awarded at an assembly.

Thank you for your support in getting your child into school on time everyday.

Holidays During Term

From September 2013 the Principal no longer has the authority to authorise absences for the purpose of taking a family holiday except in exceptional circumstances. We therefore ask parents and carers to avoid booking holidays during term time. The school will be closed for an extra ‘Inset’ week each year. This will give parents/carers the opportunity to take a holiday during term time when there would be potential cost savings. As a result of this there will be a zero tolerance approach towards parents taking their children out of school at any other time. If however you believe there are exceptional reasons why your child needs to be absent from school you need to complete a Leave of Absence Application Form, which is available from our Attendance Officer.

A child who is absent from school for 2 weeks (10 days) will have less than 95% attendance for that year before taking into account any further days lost due to illness.

Where a child’s level or pattern of absences becomes a concern we will discuss this with the parent or carer and may involve the Education and Attendance Team.

Expectations of Us

  • To ensure parents/carers understand the importance of punctuality and attendance.
  • To monitor attendance and punctuality weekly.
  • To contact parents/carers if no reason has been received for a child’s absence.
  • To inform parents/carers if a child’s attendance falls below 90% or if poor punctuality is having a significant effect upon a child’s education.
  • To write and meet parents if attendance is poor or punctuality does not improve after initial letter.
  • To offer advice and support families.
  • To contact Family Services/Local Authority if unauthorised absences persist.
  • To provide a range of incentives to encourage excellent attendance.

Expectations of Parents/Carers

  • To ensure your child attends every day unless they are unwell.
  • To inform the academy by telephone on the FIRST day of absence because of illness, and everyday that follows.
  • Try and arrange medical appointments outside of the academy day.
  • Where medical appointments cannot be taken out of academy hours, medical evidence is taken to the school office to authorise the absence.
  • To bring and collect your children promptly. If your child is late they must be signed into the academy at the main office.
  • Holidays are avoided during term time.
  • A letter to the Principal is sent at least one month in advance if you believe it is unavoidable to take your child on holiday during term time.
  • Ensure that the academy is informed if someone different will be collecting your child.

Important Statistics

  • 95% attendance means that your child has missed two weeks of school.
  • 90% attendance means that your child has missed four weeks of school/half a day every week.
  • 80% attendance means that your child has missed eight weeks of school.
  • Attendance of below 90% over five years is equivalent to your child missing half a year of school.
  • Attendance below 80% over five years means that your child misses a whole year of school.
  • Research suggests that 17 missed school days a year equals a drop in GCSE grade (Department for children, schools and families).
  • Only a quarter of pupils will achieve GCSE grades A to C if their attendance is below 90%.
  • Pupils who are frequently absent from school are more likely to become involved or be a victim of crime and anti-social behaviour.
  • Poor attendance suggests to future employers that the individual is unreliable. Get into good habits early.
  • Missing 10% (about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read.
  • One of the most effective ways for providing pathways out of poverty is by doing what it takes to get children into school every day.